The Century of Cities

The Century of Cities celebrates our 100th guest as we welcome Lord Norman Foster, one of the world's most influential architects and Founder and Executive Chairman of Foster + Partners. Drawing on six decades of practice, he traces the shift from gritty, industrial cities to cleaner, safer, and more mobile urban environments, shaped by digital technology, new forms of mobility, and changing patterns of density. While progress has been undeniable, Lord Foster warns that many cities have lost distinct identity, creativity, and affordability along the way. He makes a powerful case for rediscovering the lessons of the traditional city: compactness, mixed use, walkability, and strong public spaces. From Madrid and Vienna to London, Paris, and New York, he argues that density done well is not only more sustainable but also more joyful and socially resilient. He calls for a return to positive, big-picture planning, investing in infrastructure, embracing layered cities, and designing streets and neighbourhoods that support daily life and long-term health. His vision for the future is optimistic but clear-eyed: greener, quieter, more humane cities are possible, but only if technological innovation is matched with human-centred design and the courage to plan for generations to come.

Edward L. Glaeser, one of the world's leading urban economists and the Fred and Eleanor Glimp Professor of Economics at Harvard University, joins The Century of Cities to reflect on decades of research and his landmark work, Triumph of the City. He traces the arc from urban decline and deindustrialization to the resurgence of cities as centers of knowledge, creativity, and economic opportunity. Ed examines the most difficult challenges cities face, including housing affordability, climate risk, governance capacity, and social mobility. He offers a pragmatic framework for urban leadership, arguing that cities must generate economic value while investing deliberately in their most vulnerable residents. From making it easier to build housing at scale to strengthening public safety, upgrading institutions, and adapting new technologies, he emphasizes that cities require care, competence, and long-term commitment. Despite their vulnerabilities, he remains optimistic: cities, he argues, are humanity's greatest engines for reducing poverty, expanding opportunity, and shaping a more prosperous future.

The Century of Cities welcomes Andrés Rodríguez-Pose, Professor of Economic Geography and Regional Planning, to examine deep spatial inequalities shaping politics, prosperity, and trust in institutions across the world. Drawing on decades of research, Andrés explains how economic growth has become increasingly concentrated in a small number of cities and regions, while many places have been systematically left behind, creating what he describes as the "geography of discontent." He explores how neglecting these regions has fueled political polarization, social fragmentation, and rising distrust in democratic systems. Andrés challenges the assumption that growth alone will solve spatial inequality. He argues for place-sensitive policies that recognize the unique assets, constraints, and identities of different regions rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. From rethinking innovation policy to rebuilding local capacity and dignity, Andrés makes a compelling case that the future of cities, regions, and democracy itself depends on addressing territorial inequality head-on, and doing so with long-term commitment rather than short-term fixes.

Maria Camila Uribe, Principal Technical Lead for Housing and Urban Development and Coordinator of the IDB Cities Network at the Inter-American Development Bank, joins us on The Century of Cities. She explains how rapid urbanization, democratization, and decentralization shaped the lives of hundreds of millions, leaving legacies of both ingenuity and inequality. From informal settlements to bold planning reforms, Maria outlines how Latin American cities became hubs of creativity, civic leadership, and problem-solving under pressure. She reveals groundbreaking work underway at the IDB, including a new financing pilot allowing cities to borrow directly without sovereign guarantees, and the urgent efforts to strengthen Amazonian cities ahead of COP30. With clarity and optimism, she highlights why Latin America continues to pioneer urban innovations and how empowered local leaders can reshape the future of an entire region.

In this episode of The Century of the Cities, Ming Zhang, Global Director for Urban, Resilience, and Land at the World Bank, brings a sweeping global perspective on how cities have transformed since 1980. From witnessing Shanghai's shift from a stagnant industrial city to a world-class metropolis, to tracking urbanization across South Korea, Brazil, India, and Africa, Ming explains how innovation, governance, and economic shifts have reshaped the urban landscape for billions of people. Ming outlines the profound challenges and opportunities that cities will navigate: rapid urbanization in Africa and South Asia, aging populations in mature economies, climate-related threats, and the need for massive investment in infrastructure, housing, and resilience. He shares insights from the World Bank's Banking on Cities report, underscoring why cities must build autonomy, mobilize revenue, and use technology wisely to remain livable, adaptive, and economically vibrant.