Cities, productivity, and quality of life
Glaeser, E.
Science 333(6042): 592-594
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 1095-9203 PMID: 21798941 DOI: 10.1126/science.1209264Document Number: 222681
Technological changes and improved electronic communications seem, paradoxically, to be making cities more, rather than less, important. There is a strong correlation between urbanization and economic development across countries, and within-country evidence suggests that productivity rises in dense agglomerations. But urban economic advantages are often offset by the perennial urban curses of crime, congestion and contagious disease. The past history of the developed world suggests that these problems require more capable governments that use a combination of economic and engineering solutions. Though the scope of urban challenges can make remaining rural seem attractive, agrarian poverty has typically also been quite costly.