Why Cities Are Key to Escaping Poverty

There’s no turning back from humanity’s move to high-density living, says Ed Glaeser. The task of the century will be making cities more liveable.

Human capital has historically been the bedrock on which urban success rests, says Harvard professor Edward Glaeser, adding that quality of government is also important for mitigating the downsides of density. He sees no future in urban poverty and thinks developing countries will only become more fair, richer, and better governed through urbanization.

Glaeser also offers his thoughts on the specific case of China’s rapidly developing urban housing market. In his view, current housing prices are unsustainable if construction continues at its existing pace.

[marleyrobinson]

Thank goodness these ideas have been published in video format. Were they only in academic journals, they'd be as good as dead to me!

[jyotivig]

Sir, Can you address the problem of homelesness in large rich cities in the presence of gentrification and the absence of government regulation excluding certain areas from the market driven purchase of land ? Don't cities need labor of all skill levels to function effectively? Also why don't individuals move if they can't afford to live in a certain state/area, possibly due to greater employment opportunities and a relatively higher wages.

[peterohman]

What about stopping population growth? I think we are in for a bad time until population growth reverses.

[Renegen]

If San Francisco is an example of the information age, then it should come to an end.

[jamesbogart]

Terrible editing ruins the continuity of understanding.

[badgervacuum]

lay off Detroit as a punching bag