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Simplifying Complexity
Cities as social reactors
Sep 18, 2023
Luis Bettencourt, Professor at the University of Chicago, discusses the complexity of cities and their impact on social factors. Topics include sub-linear and super-linear scaling, challenges of urban planning, walking faster in cities, slums, and the connection between infrastructure and mental health.
41:10
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Quick takeaways
- Sub-linear scaling in cities indicates that the physical aspects of a city do not need to increase proportionally to its size, resulting in cost savings and efficient development.
- Super-linear scaling in cities shows that certain social factors, such as patents and wages, increase more than 100 percent when the city size doubles, emphasizing the importance of fostering social networks for positive outcomes.
Deep dives
Sub-linear scaling in cities
Sub-linear scaling in cities refers to the phenomenon where the physical aspects of a city, such as infrastructure and road length, do not need to increase proportionally to the city's size. For example, when a city doubles in size, the physical factors only need to increase by about 85 percent, resulting in a 15 percent saving. This sub-linear scaling is related to the physical characteristics of the city and plays a significant role in its development and structure.
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