Edward Glaeser

Triumph of the City

1. IDEA 1

   Cities make us richer and smarter

   Glaeser, an economist, argues that cities are humanity's greatest invention. By bringing people close together, they help ideas spread, encourage innovation and create wealth. In his view, the closeness that cities create is what makes them so productive.

2. IDEA 2

   Density spreads ideas

   Glaeser explains that when talented people live and work near each other, they learn from one another. Face-to-face contact, in his view, remains vital even in the internet age. Meeting in person still helps ideas pass quickly.

3. IDEA 3

   Urban poverty can signal opportunity

   Glaeser argues that cities often have many poor residents because they offer opportunities. Poverty in cities, in his view, can be a sign of attraction rather than failure. People come to cities in hope of a better life.

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