The City of Today is a Dying Thing: In Search of the Cities of Tomorrow

Des Fitzgerald explores the future of urban life, arguing that cities are bad for us and we need green space, not concrete. He takes us on an urgent, unforgettable journey into the future, revealing the deep-lying roots of the green city movement and offering an argument for celebrating our cities as they are.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 18 January 2024
Publisher: Faber & Faber

Lively, irreverent, and insightful, Lauren Elkin's work is reminiscent of Jon Ronson's exploration of town planners. Endlessly funny and seriously smart, John Grindrod's commentary on cities paints a bleak picture of polluted, noisy, and fundamentally unnatural environments. He advocates for green space, not concrete, and trees, not tower blocks, as the solution to our urban woes. However, is this argument truly valid? What would the city of the future look like if we tried to build a better life from the ground up? And would anyone want to live there?

In his book, "The Future of Urban Life," Des Fitzgerald takes us on an urgent and unforgettable journey into the future of urban life. From shimmering edifices in the Arizona desert to forest bathing in deepest Wales, and from rats in mazes to neuroscientific studies of the effects of our surroundings, Fitzgerald explores the diverse landscapes and environments that shape our urban experiences. Along the way, he reveals the deep-lying and often controversial roots of today's green city movement and offers an argument for celebrating our cities as they are - in all their raucous, constructed, and artificial glory.

While some may argue that cities are inherently flawed and in need of radical transformation, Fitzgerald suggests that there is value in recognizing and celebrating the unique qualities of our urban environments. He argues that cities are not only places of work and commerce but also of culture, creativity, and social interaction. By embracing the complexities and contradictions of our cities, we can create more sustainable and livable communities that are both prosperous and fulfilling.

Fitzgerald's book is a thought-provoking and engaging exploration of the future of urban life. It challenges us to think beyond traditional narratives and to consider the potential for positive change in our cities. Whether you are an urban planner, a resident, or simply someone interested in the future of our planet, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the complex and dynamic world of urban life.

Weight: 396g
Dimension: 223 x 144 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780571362219
Edition number: Main