Opportunities and Risks in the Century of Cities
/From China’s new Silk Road initiative that connects dozens of cities across three continents to urban behemoths like Lagos and Mumbai in the developing world, cities are more connected, concentrated, and influential than ever.
The city is one of mankind’s oldest and most abiding social structures. The great ones have been destroyed and rebuilt many times over, outlasting empires and nations. Megacities – cities with populations of 10 million or more – are expected to grow from 20 today to close to 40 by 2025. We’ll discuss the improved connectivity that accompanies this growth, the opportunities for innovation and inclusiveness, and the challenges in terms of resources, infrastructure, and security.
On Monday, November 7th, we welcome guest speaker Col. Patrick J. Mahaney to our November policy salon. Col. Mahaney will anchor the discussion with his expertise on megacities, the focus of his role as Senior Military Fellow of the U.S. Army’s Strategic Studies Group.
Below is suggested reading to bring you up-to-speed:
- Megacities, Not Nations, are the World’s Dominant, Enduring Social Structures
Today cities have become the world’s dominant demographic and economic clusters, though connectivity matters more than size.
- Safe in the City: Urban Spaces are the New Frontier for International Security
Major cities of the world will increasingly play a large role in the 21st century distribution of global power.
- How Cities Are Shaping International Relations
While countries negotiate international security deals, trade partnerships, and climate agreements, the power of cities to develop their own foreign policy is growing.
Additional articles will be posted on our Facebook page.