The Future of the New Urban World

Abstract

This paper aims to offer a review of spatial dynamics in a rapidly urbanizing world. After a description of modern urbanization trends three issues are addressed in particular, viz. cities and wealth, urban quality of life, and demographic aspects of cities. The paper is concluded with various policy lessons.

Factors Driving the Population Growth and Decline of Portuguese Cities

“…Migration tends to be related to employment opportunities, and a causal relationship between employment and population growth is commonly observed (IOM ; Lutz ; Storper and Manville ). As such, migration is often explained by the search for employment (Hunt ; Kourtit, Nijkamp, and Scholten ). Cities that are more economically active generate more job opportunities and emerge as more appealing places to live (Ferguson ; Panagopoulos, Duque, and Dan ), especially for those individuals of working age and in particular for the creative class (Blanc, Cahuzac, and Tahar ; Hansen and Niedomysl ).…”

“…C ities that have achieved economic success tend to attract new inhabitants, and thus demographic growth is often related to economic growth (Begg 1999;Lutz 2001;Storper and Manville 2006). Cities with economic growth usually show an increase in the amount of accumulated wealth available for redistribution, better job opportunities, and a higher quality of life (Bhatta 2010;Blanc, Cahuzac, and Tahar 2008) by creating the conditions that are needed for businesses to become established (Hansen and Niedomysl 2009) and for public amenities to be provided (Kourtit, Nijkamp, and Scholten 2015). Jointly with economic opportunities, the provision of affordable housing (RWI 2010;Sasser 2010) and a friendly environment with pleasant climatic conditions (Cheshire and Magrini 2006;Rappaport 2007) also attract inhabitants into cities.…”

A blueprint for strategic urban research: the urban piazza

“…This ‘ New Urban World ’ generates much uncertainty and many challenges regarding potential future economic development trajectories (Nijkamp and Kourtit, 2011; Nijkamp and Kourtit, 2012; Kourtit et al, 2013a; Kourtit et al, 2013b; Kourtit et al, 2013c). The first important challenge is the distinct possibility that the ‘ New Urban World ’s development path will be uneven, with growing heterogeneity across the world.…”

“…Modern cities thus form the heart of a dynamic society and are breeding places for creativity, innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, socio-economic progress and ecologically sustainable transformation (see, for example, Glaeser, 2011; Van Geenhuizen and Nijkamp, 2012; Rydin, 2012; Kourtit and Nijkamp, 2013; Kourtit et al, 2013a; Kourtit et al, 2013b). In this way, these powerhouses will act as the engines of the world’s economic growth and vitality – i.e.…”

“…In recent years, much attention has been given to cities as breeding places for creativeness and innovativeness (see e.g. Glaeser, 2011; Stough et al, 2011; Van Geenhuizen and Nijkamp, 2012; Kourtit and Nijkamp, 2013; Kourtit et al, 2013a; Kourtit et al, 2013b). In this context, the concept of buzz cities has gained popularity (see Storper, 1997; Storper and Venables, 2004; McCann, 2008; Rodríguez-Pose and Fitjar, 2013).…”