Talks by subject
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City planet
The night side of the Earth, these decades, displays dazzling webs of light on the continents, with incandescent nodes at all the metropolitan areas and a bright tracery of transportation corridors between them. All over the planet, cities are booming and growing. The movement of billions of people from rural to urban areas is shifting more than the landscape: it is changing the nature of our public and political institutions, the status of women, the world economy—and much more. Whole Earth Catalog Founder, and GBN and Well cofounder Steward Brand has long been fascinated by cities—how and why they are changing and the long-term implications for civilization. Join Stewart as he explores the nature of the emerging "City Planet," a world of megacities largely populated by the young; vibrant communities of squatters that are redefining environments, economies, and social norms; and massive urbanization that could represent a huge opportunity for environmentalists, though most haven't realized it yet. Cities are amazingly durable and adaptive organisms—and the most constantly changing. Likewise, the city dwellers of the present and future are poised to reshape the fundamental agendas of business, politics, and culture. Source: Google video.
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Why squatter cities are a good thing
Rural villages worldwide are being deserted, as billions of people flock to cities to live in teeming squatter camps and slums. Stewart Brand says this is a good thing. Why? It’ll take you 3 minutes to find out.
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Architecture is a new way to con ...
Architect Thom Mayne has never been one to take the easy option, and this whistle-stop tour of the buildings he's created makes you glad for it. These are big ideas cast in material form.
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The "shadow cities" of the future
Robert Neuwirth, author of Shadow Cities, finds the world’s squatter sites -- where a billion people now make their homes -- to be thriving centers of ingenuity and innovation. He takes us on a tour.
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The city is here for you to use ...
Talk given in The Web and Beyond 2008: Mobility Conference in Amsterdam, 2008.