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Cities: advantages & disadvantages of concentration | Alessandro Balducci | TEDxPolitecnicodiMilanoU


thank you

thank you cities are without any doubt the areas

cities are without any doubt the areas

cities are without any doubt the areas of concentration and overcrowding of the

of concentration and overcrowding of the

of concentration and overcrowding of the population and but we know that this

population and but we know that this

population and but we know that this distribution is not even so if we divide

distribution is not even so if we divide

distribution is not even so if we divide the population of the earth 7.4 4

the population of the earth 7.4 4

the population of the earth 7.4 4 billion inhabitants for the habitable

billion inhabitants for the habitable

billion inhabitants for the habitable surface of the world would have a

surface of the world would have a

surface of the world would have a density of 50 person per square

density of 50 person per square

density of 50 person per square kilometer but we know that there are

kilometer but we know that there are

kilometer but we know that there are many cities which are concentrating a

many cities which are concentrating a

many cities which are concentrating a lot of population so 14,000 in

lot of population so 14,000 in

lot of population so 14,000 in Casablanca Morocco 14,000 and 800 in

Casablanca Morocco 14,000 and 800 in

Casablanca Morocco 14,000 and 800 in Manila in the Philippines almost 20,000

Manila in the Philippines almost 20,000

Manila in the Philippines almost 20,000 people per square kilometer in Mumbai

people per square kilometer in Mumbai

people per square kilometer in Mumbai 31,000 people per square kilometer and

31,000 people per square kilometer and

31,000 people per square kilometer and finally the most dense City which is

finally the most dense City which is

finally the most dense City which is 44,000 people per square kilometre in

44,000 people per square kilometre in

44,000 people per square kilometre in Dhaka Bangladesh but why people is going

Dhaka Bangladesh but why people is going

Dhaka Bangladesh but why people is going to order the cities so there are at

to order the cities so there are at

to order the cities so there are at least two different reasons one reason

least two different reasons one reason

least two different reasons one reason is the escape from the rural poverty in

is the escape from the rural poverty in

is the escape from the rural poverty in the global south and also in the

the global south and also in the

the global south and also in the northern part of the world people is

northern part of the world people is

northern part of the world people is just looking for better jobs and better

just looking for better jobs and better

just looking for better jobs and better services so this is all what a real a

services so this is all what a real a

services so this is all what a real a fabric called the fight for the right to

fabric called the fight for the right to

fabric called the fight for the right to the city and the city as a basket of

the city and the city as a basket of

the city and the city as a basket of opportunities but we know that cities

opportunities but we know that cities

opportunities but we know that cities have not only been growing and expanding

have not only been growing and expanding

have not only been growing and expanding but they have been also creating

but they have been also creating

but they have been also creating networks of cities organizing many parts

networks of cities organizing many parts

networks of cities organizing many parts of the world and we just cite some of

of the world and we just cite some of

of the world and we just cite some of them so in Boston Washington 54 million

them so in Boston Washington 54 million

them so in Boston Washington 54 million inhabitants Rio Sao Paulo just in South

inhabitants Rio Sao Paulo just in South

inhabitants Rio Sao Paulo just in South America 43 million inhabitants shanghai

America 43 million inhabitants shanghai

America 43 million inhabitants shanghai nanjing han xue 64 66 million

nanjing han xue 64 66 million

nanjing han xue 64 66 million inhabitants so they are mega city

inhabitants so they are mega city

inhabitants so they are mega city regions and there are many others in the

regions and there are many others in the

regions and there are many others in the world

world

world what is also possible to see is that we

what is also possible to see is that we

what is also possible to see is that we also live in a mega city region because

also live in a mega city region because

also live in a mega city region because between Venice and to Rina and Bologna

between Venice and to Rina and Bologna

between Venice and to Rina and Bologna we are

we are

we are more or less at the center there is

more or less at the center there is

more or less at the center there is Milan we have more or less 30 million

Milan we have more or less 30 million

Milan we have more or less 30 million inhabitants but the interesting thing is

inhabitants but the interesting thing is

inhabitants but the interesting thing is that we thought a few years ago that

that we thought a few years ago that

that we thought a few years ago that with internet we could the worker

with internet we could the worker

with internet we could the worker wherever we wanted we could buy

wherever we wanted we could buy

wherever we wanted we could buy everything from far we could even don’t

everything from far we could even don’t

everything from far we could even don’t need to meet the friends because we are

need to meet the friends because we are

need to meet the friends because we are on Facebook and we can interact with

on Facebook and we can interact with

on Facebook and we can interact with them at distance but on the end of this

them at distance but on the end of this

them at distance but on the end of this this hasn’t been true so we still need

this hasn’t been true so we still need

this hasn’t been true so we still need to meet our friends we still need to

to meet our friends we still need to

to meet our friends we still need to work with other colleagues we still need

work with other colleagues we still need

work with other colleagues we still need to be with others and this map is quite

to be with others and this map is quite

to be with others and this map is quite interesting because it’s a map of

interesting because it’s a map of

interesting because it’s a map of Facebook and you see that in this map it

Facebook and you see that in this map it

Facebook and you see that in this map it is very similar to the map of the cities

is very similar to the map of the cities

is very similar to the map of the cities and so it is a very much possible to

and so it is a very much possible to

and so it is a very much possible to understand that internet and physical

understand that internet and physical

understand that internet and physical interactions are reinforcing each other

interactions are reinforcing each other

interactions are reinforcing each other are not alternative but also there is

are not alternative but also there is

are not alternative but also there is another way of looking at this kind of

another way of looking at this kind of

another way of looking at this kind of urbanization of the planet and it is the

urbanization of the planet and it is the

urbanization of the planet and it is the fact that there are some colleagues of

fact that there are some colleagues of

fact that there are some colleagues of ours nil blenheim Angada but say there

ours nil blenheim Angada but say there

ours nil blenheim Angada but say there is a process of planetary urbanization

is a process of planetary urbanization

is a process of planetary urbanization so all the planet is somehow serve in

so all the planet is somehow serve in

so all the planet is somehow serve in the urban because we have skies which

the urban because we have skies which

the urban because we have skies which are populated by area routes and

are populated by area routes and

are populated by area routes and satellites we have oceans which are

satellites we have oceans which are

satellites we have oceans which are crossed by cables and naval routes we

crossed by cables and naval routes we

crossed by cables and naval routes we have pipelines bringing us and oil to

have pipelines bringing us and oil to

have pipelines bringing us and oil to the citizen everything is directly to

the citizen everything is directly to

the citizen everything is directly to the prosperity of the city and and for

the prosperity of the city and and for

the prosperity of the city and and for the and for the life of the city and

the and for the life of the city and

the and for the life of the city and these are the cables which crosses the

these are the cables which crosses the

these are the cables which crosses the oceans but in addition to responding to

oceans but in addition to responding to

oceans but in addition to responding to this aspiration to go to the city there

this aspiration to go to the city there

this aspiration to go to the city there are a number of reasons functional

are a number of reasons functional

are a number of reasons functional reasons why overcrowding is also

reasons why overcrowding is also

reasons why overcrowding is also producing some kind of interesting thing

producing some kind of interesting thing

producing some kind of interesting thing for the population of course in the mass

for the population of course in the mass

for the population of course in the mass concentration of population high level

concentration of population high level

concentration of population high level commercial services are naturally

commercial services are naturally

commercial services are naturally developing we have cultural services an

developing we have cultural services an

developing we have cultural services an art institution which are based on

art institution which are based on

art institution which are based on cities because they need a wider

cities because they need a wider

cities because they need a wider catchment area we have a professional

catchment area we have a professional

catchment area we have a professional advisory services which are in cities

advisory services which are in cities

advisory services which are in cities because they wanted to be closer to mass

because they wanted to be closer to mass

because they wanted to be closer to mass of population and firms which are their

of population and firms which are their

of population and firms which are their clients we can see research in higher

clients we can see research in higher

clients we can see research in higher education this is a map of universities

education this is a map of universities

education this is a map of universities and of the relations among the

and of the relations among the

and of the relations among the universities and again you see that it

universities and again you see that it

universities and again you see that it looks very much like the image of the

looks very much like the image of the

looks very much like the image of the cities but then of course there is a

cities but then of course there is a

cities but then of course there is a concentration of businesses of

concentration of businesses of

concentration of businesses of headquarters of the most important

headquarters of the most important

headquarters of the most important industries and you see in these red dots

industries and you see in these red dots

industries and you see in these red dots of the most important global cities in

of the most important global cities in

of the most important global cities in the world and they their interaction but

the world and they their interaction but

the world and they their interaction but I think that there is not only the

I think that there is not only the

I think that there is not only the single functional reason which are

single functional reason which are

single functional reason which are important it is a de combination of all

important it is a de combination of all

important it is a de combination of all these reasons which are creating a kind

these reasons which are creating a kind

these reasons which are creating a kind of media because industry close to art

of media because industry close to art

of media because industry close to art as we are doing today and the creative

as we are doing today and the creative

as we are doing today and the creative activities close to science and and

activities close to science and and

activities close to science and and research are creating Emilia which is

research are creating Emilia which is

research are creating Emilia which is becoming a creative media and it is in

becoming a creative media and it is in

becoming a creative media and it is in relation with the multiple network of

relation with the multiple network of

relation with the multiple network of connections throughout the world so

connections throughout the world so

connections throughout the world so cities are also accelerating the

cities are also accelerating the

cities are also accelerating the distribution of innovation this map is

distribution of innovation this map is

distribution of innovation this map is quite interesting is that’s been

quite interesting is that’s been

quite interesting is that’s been produced by The Economist and it is how

produced by The Economist and it is how

produced by The Economist and it is how many years did pass from when an

many years did pass from when an

many years did pass from when an invention arrived to the moment in which

invention arrived to the moment in which

invention arrived to the moment in which one quarter of the American population

one quarter of the American population

one quarter of the American population use of the invention so electricity 46

use of the invention so electricity 46

use of the invention so electricity 46 years telephone 35 years of radio 31

years telephone 35 years of radio 31

years telephone 35 years of radio 31 television 26 PC 16 mobile phone 13 the

television 26 PC 16 mobile phone 13 the

television 26 PC 16 mobile phone 13 the web 7 and if you go on probably in the

web 7 and if you go on probably in the

web 7 and if you go on probably in the recent invention in the software area

recent invention in the software area

recent invention in the software area the time is even shorter but the blue

the time is even shorter but the blue

the time is even shorter but the blue line is showing to as the process of

line is showing to as the process of

line is showing to as the process of urbanization so we started here with

urbanization so we started here with

urbanization so we started here with less than 10% of the population of the

less than 10% of the population of the

less than 10% of the population of the world which was urban and now we are

world which was urban and now we are

world which was urban and now we are about a 60% of the world population

about a 60% of the world population

about a 60% of the world population which is urban okay so we can conclude

which is urban okay so we can conclude

which is urban okay so we can conclude that not only cities will not die

that not only cities will not die

that not only cities will not die because there is internet but also that

because there is internet but also that

because there is internet but also that internet helps the

internet helps the

internet helps the centration of the overcrowding in cities

centration of the overcrowding in cities

centration of the overcrowding in cities because it gives some multiple reasons

because it gives some multiple reasons

because it gives some multiple reasons for meeting as I said because it spreads

for meeting as I said because it spreads

for meeting as I said because it spreads information about the life of cities and

information about the life of cities and

information about the life of cities and because it governance increasingly

because it governance increasingly

because it governance increasingly sophisticated system this is just an

sophisticated system this is just an

sophisticated system this is just an image of the control system of the Metro

image of the control system of the Metro

image of the control system of the Metro of Tokyo and you see how complicated it

of Tokyo and you see how complicated it

of Tokyo and you see how complicated it is but we have a similar things for

is but we have a similar things for

is but we have a similar things for managing all the kind of utilities from

managing all the kind of utilities from

managing all the kind of utilities from Gaza to see well to everything else

Gaza to see well to everything else

Gaza to see well to everything else until when there is something like last

until when there is something like last

until when there is something like last week here in Milan a small puppy dog

week here in Milan a small puppy dog

week here in Milan a small puppy dog enter into the tunnel of the metro

enter into the tunnel of the metro

enter into the tunnel of the metro system and everything collapse so

system and everything collapse so

system and everything collapse so thousands of people have been forced to

thousands of people have been forced to

thousands of people have been forced to to go buy buy food because of the metro

to go buy buy food because of the metro

to go buy buy food because of the metro line collapses and so we have to

line collapses and so we have to

line collapses and so we have to understand the how complicate and

understand the how complicate and

understand the how complicate and sophisticated is the system of control

sophisticated is the system of control

sophisticated is the system of control of our cities and it’s very astonishing

of our cities and it’s very astonishing

of our cities and it’s very astonishing that every day of every year it works

that every day of every year it works

that every day of every year it works quite smoothly how even if it is are so

quite smoothly how even if it is are so

quite smoothly how even if it is are so complicated but of course we have also

complicated but of course we have also

complicated but of course we have also disadvantages of the concentration and

disadvantages of the concentration and

disadvantages of the concentration and of course this is a this is a very

of course this is a this is a very

of course this is a this is a very important element because there are many

important element because there are many

important element because there are many positive advantages of the concentration

positive advantages of the concentration

positive advantages of the concentration but there are also disadvantages one of

but there are also disadvantages one of

but there are also disadvantages one of them one of the most popular kind of

them one of the most popular kind of

them one of the most popular kind of problem is a congestion of the traffic

problem is a congestion of the traffic

problem is a congestion of the traffic but also the limited access to to

but also the limited access to to

but also the limited access to to natural space we know that we live in

natural space we know that we live in

natural space we know that we live in cities which are stone city cities of

cities which are stone city cities of

cities which are stone city cities of stone and and we have problems in adding

stone and and we have problems in adding

stone and and we have problems in adding access to to green space we have a great

access to to green space we have a great

access to to green space we have a great pollution in cities particularly in some

pollution in cities particularly in some

pollution in cities particularly in some part of the word pollution is becoming a

part of the word pollution is becoming a

part of the word pollution is becoming a great problem but we also know that

great problem but we also know that

great problem but we also know that cities were the 2% of the surface of the

cities were the 2% of the surface of the

cities were the 2% of the surface of the planet is producing the 70% of the

planet is producing the 70% of the

planet is producing the 70% of the greenhouse gases which is something

greenhouse gases which is something

greenhouse gases which is something really incredible on the one end but

really incredible on the one end but

really incredible on the one end but this is really a great problem and also

this is really a great problem and also

this is really a great problem and also we produce a lot of waste and we know in

we produce a lot of waste and we know in

we produce a lot of waste and we know in Italy how many cities are problems in

Italy how many cities are problems in

Italy how many cities are problems in managing the waste and waste are

managing the waste and waste are

managing the waste and waste are producing the pollution again that are

producing the pollution again that are

producing the pollution again that are producing :

producing :

producing : zatia of areas which are far away from

zatia of areas which are far away from

zatia of areas which are far away from cities and are creating some problems

cities and are creating some problems

cities and are creating some problems and also I have to say that cities are

and also I have to say that cities are

and also I have to say that cities are also the places of the stronger

also the places of the stronger

also the places of the stronger polarization and the stronger individual

polarization and the stronger individual

polarization and the stronger individual suffering because the breakdown of the

suffering because the breakdown of the

suffering because the breakdown of the traditional kind of relations into

traditional kind of relations into

traditional kind of relations into cities which have become larger and

cities which have become larger and

cities which have become larger and larger like in the mega city regions

larger like in the mega city regions

larger like in the mega city regions I’ve been talking about creating

I’ve been talking about creating

I’ve been talking about creating situations in which should be

situations in which should be

situations in which should be psychiatric diseases are more than in

psychiatric diseases are more than in

psychiatric diseases are more than in another part of the of the planet and

another part of the of the planet and

another part of the of the planet and also individual suffering therefore all

also individual suffering therefore all

also individual suffering therefore all people alone in the city because they

people alone in the city because they

people alone in the city because they are not they are not protected but

are not they are not protected but

are not they are not protected but particularly important which is what I

particularly important which is what I

particularly important which is what I wanted to communicate with this image on

wanted to communicate with this image on

wanted to communicate with this image on the left hand side is the polarization

the left hand side is the polarization

the left hand side is the polarization so a stronger and stronger polarization

so a stronger and stronger polarization

so a stronger and stronger polarization between the richest which become richer

between the richest which become richer

between the richest which become richer and richer Innes particularly in cities

and richer Innes particularly in cities

and richer Innes particularly in cities because of their they find the

because of their they find the

because of their they find the opportunities and the poorest which

opportunities and the poorest which

opportunities and the poorest which become poorest and and poor poorer and

become poorest and and poor poorer and

become poorest and and poor poorer and poorer another great problem we’re

poorer another great problem we’re

poorer another great problem we’re dealing with is mass migration migration

dealing with is mass migration migration

dealing with is mass migration migration is directed mainly toward cities which

is directed mainly toward cities which

is directed mainly toward cities which can offer job opportunities and cities

can offer job opportunities and cities

can offer job opportunities and cities particularly in the northern part of the

particularly in the northern part of the

particularly in the northern part of the world are not able yet to to deal in a

world are not able yet to to deal in a

world are not able yet to to deal in a proper way with this this big problem

proper way with this this big problem

proper way with this this big problem and finally we had to learn that cities

and finally we had to learn that cities

and finally we had to learn that cities are also the objective of the terrorist

are also the objective of the terrorist

are also the objective of the terrorist attacks

attacks

attacks so because of concentration because of

so because of concentration because of

so because of concentration because of overcrowding terrorists are trying to to

overcrowding terrorists are trying to to

overcrowding terrorists are trying to to aim at cities in order to to produce as

aim at cities in order to to produce as

aim at cities in order to to produce as many victims as they can okay

many victims as they can okay

many victims as they can okay but now my final question is the

but now my final question is the

but now my final question is the concentration able as it has been able

concentration able as it has been able

concentration able as it has been able to produce also many positive effects

to produce also many positive effects

to produce also many positive effects that are attracting a lot of people is

that are attracting a lot of people is

that are attracting a lot of people is the concentration able to also to solve

the concentration able to also to solve

the concentration able to also to solve the problems we are facing I think that

the problems we are facing I think that

the problems we are facing I think that there are some science that we are going

there are some science that we are going

there are some science that we are going in this direction I just put some of

in this direction I just put some of

in this direction I just put some of them here so in many cities even Los

them here so in many cities even Los

them here so in many cities even Los Angeles that in the

Angeles that in the

Angeles that in the password just a car city they are now

password just a car city they are now

password just a car city they are now developing a very important message

developing a very important message

developing a very important message transporter system we have car sharing

transporter system we have car sharing

transporter system we have car sharing bike sharing and any kind of new

bike sharing and any kind of new

bike sharing and any kind of new innovative ways of using the the

innovative ways of using the the

innovative ways of using the the vehicles that allow to diminish con

vehicles that allow to diminish con

vehicles that allow to diminish con congestion electric cars in particular

congestion electric cars in particular

congestion electric cars in particular can can diminish also pollution we know

can can diminish also pollution we know

can can diminish also pollution we know that there are buildings that instead of

that there are buildings that instead of

that there are buildings that instead of consuming a lot of energy they can

consuming a lot of energy they can

consuming a lot of energy they can produce energy the solar map of the

produce energy the solar map of the

produce energy the solar map of the roofs of New York is able to sustain the

roofs of New York is able to sustain the

roofs of New York is able to sustain the energy need of the entire city we have

energy need of the entire city we have

energy need of the entire city we have cities that have become champion in

cities that have become champion in

cities that have become champion in recycling all the waste and are able not

recycling all the waste and are able not

recycling all the waste and are able not well not to produce any waste anymore we

well not to produce any waste anymore we

well not to produce any waste anymore we know that there is a rediscovery of

know that there is a rediscovery of

know that there is a rediscovery of greener and of urban agriculture which

greener and of urban agriculture which

greener and of urban agriculture which is another another very important point

is another another very important point

is another another very important point because it is the link to to

because it is the link to to

because it is the link to to concentration and overcrowding because

concentration and overcrowding because

concentration and overcrowding because farmers can go into the city and can

farmers can go into the city and can

farmers can go into the city and can sell their products and also there are

sell their products and also there are

sell their products and also there are social movements the therapy are able to

social movements the therapy are able to

social movements the therapy are able to reactor to the the difficult ways in

reactor to the the difficult ways in

reactor to the the difficult ways in which we can deal with the the most

which we can deal with the the most

which we can deal with the the most important social problems that this was

important social problems that this was

important social problems that this was what happened last Saturday in Milan I

what happened last Saturday in Milan I

what happened last Saturday in Milan I saw a manifestation in order to welcome

saw a manifestation in order to welcome

saw a manifestation in order to welcome immigrants instead of pushing them out

immigrants instead of pushing them out

immigrants instead of pushing them out and also we know that in cities there

and also we know that in cities there

and also we know that in cities there are the creation of movements which are

are the creation of movements which are

are the creation of movements which are fighting against inequalities Occupy

fighting against inequalities Occupy

fighting against inequalities Occupy Wall Street or the in matters in Puerta

Wall Street or the in matters in Puerta

Wall Street or the in matters in Puerta del Sol but also the movements which

del Sol but also the movements which

del Sol but also the movements which have been able to react to the terrorist

have been able to react to the terrorist

have been able to react to the terrorist attack so to create some stronger

attack so to create some stronger

attack so to create some stronger solidarity in order to react to this

solidarity in order to react to this

solidarity in order to react to this kind of threats and I think that this

kind of threats and I think that this

kind of threats and I think that this can help can help our reaction and can

can help can help our reaction and can

can help can help our reaction and can be only in cities because of the

be only in cities because of the

be only in cities because of the concentration and we know that many of

concentration and we know that many of

concentration and we know that many of these movements have been starting in

these movements have been starting in

these movements have been starting in the internet in the web

the internet in the web

the internet in the web and then they have to land in the city

and then they have to land in the city

and then they have to land in the city in order to become transformative in

in order to become transformative in

in order to become transformative in order to become something which is able

order to become something which is able

order to become something which is able really to transform our society so to

really to transform our society so to

really to transform our society so to conclude cities are are the result of

conclude cities are are the result of

conclude cities are are the result of concentration of people companies

concentration of people companies

concentration of people companies information and infrastructure and they

information and infrastructure and they

information and infrastructure and they will continue to attract because they

will continue to attract because they

will continue to attract because they are responsible of a number of needs

are responsible of a number of needs

are responsible of a number of needs which are very important primary and

which are very important primary and

which are very important primary and secondary needs and in doing so they are

secondary needs and in doing so they are

secondary needs and in doing so they are also creating a number of problems which

also creating a number of problems which

also creating a number of problems which are not only problems of cities the most

are not only problems of cities the most

are not only problems of cities the most important thing is that these problems

important thing is that these problems

important thing is that these problems are planetary problems climate change

are planetary problems climate change

are planetary problems climate change environmental degradation social

environmental degradation social

environmental degradation social inequalities war which is mirrored by

inequalities war which is mirrored by

inequalities war which is mirrored by the terrorist attack this is something

the terrorist attack this is something

the terrorist attack this is something that we live in the city but they are

that we live in the city but they are

that we live in the city but they are only part of problems which are

only part of problems which are

only part of problems which are planetary problems so what can we do I

planetary problems so what can we do I

planetary problems so what can we do I think we have to encourage of the

think we have to encourage of the

think we have to encourage of the science of innovation we should try to

science of innovation we should try to

science of innovation we should try to use the strength that has been able to

use the strength that has been able to

use the strength that has been able to enable the the economic development of

enable the the economic development of

enable the the economic development of cities and the continuous capacity to

cities and the continuous capacity to

cities and the continuous capacity to offer the writer to the city to many

offer the writer to the city to many

offer the writer to the city to many people but also we have to direct this

people but also we have to direct this

people but also we have to direct this kind of energy towards environmental and

kind of energy towards environmental and

kind of energy towards environmental and social problems this do not does not

social problems this do not does not

social problems this do not does not happen spontaneously this requires the

happen spontaneously this requires the

happen spontaneously this requires the mobilisation of governments but also the

mobilisation of governments but also the

mobilisation of governments but also the mobilization of civil society and the

mobilization of civil society and the

mobilization of civil society and the mobilisation of citizens because and

mobilisation of citizens because and

mobilisation of citizens because and this is my last quote from Jane Jacobs

this is my last quote from Jane Jacobs

this is my last quote from Jane Jacobs which is a famous urbanist cities have

which is a famous urbanist cities have

which is a famous urbanist cities have the capacity to provide in something for

the capacity to provide in something for

the capacity to provide in something for everybody

everybody

everybody only because and only when they are

only because and only when they are

only because and only when they are created by everybody thank you

created by everybody thank you

created by everybody thank you you

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