Simplifying Complexity Cities as social reactors
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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.
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Scaling Patterns in Cities
- Cities exhibit sub-linear scaling for infrastructure, meaning doubling size needs less than double resources.
- Simultaneously, cities show super-linear scaling in social outputs like wages and innovation, increasing at more than double rate.
Luis Bettencourt's Journey
- Luis Bettencourt grew up in Portugal during social upheaval, fueling his interest in how cities transform society.
- This personal history led him from physics to studying cities as complex social reactors.
Cities Are Social Interaction Systems
- The primary essence of a city is sustained human social interaction, not just infrastructure or buildings.
- Planning should focus on enhancing these social networks to unlock cities' full potential.