An unflinching op-ed begs a rethinking of narratives that cheer the "Triumph of the City." In the contemporary city, the argument goes, only the rich are better off from urbanization.

A CityMetric post by Deepa Naik and Trenton Oldfield makes a provocative argument:
"Alarmingly, everything everyone one thinks they know about urbanization and cities is mistaken, absolutely and entirely. Contrary to the heavily promoted narrative, people arenot cheerfully and enthusiastically moving to cities. Most of the world’s population have been forced to, or left with no other alternative but to attempt to make a life in a city."
Naik and Oldfield also note that urbanization processes in history, such as Britain of the 18th and 19th centuries and the Post-World War II United States, were forced through various methods.
Another bleak pronouncement: "Despite the assurances of the Urban Industry, westernised cities are not 'good for you'. And doses of wealth, health and wisdom will not trickle down to their inhabitants."
Certainly, there is no small amount of exuberance over the perceived contemporary renaissance of urban living—but this article argues that that common narrative is misguided. In London, for example, residents "are leaving in droves."
The article goes on to elaborate on more of the implications of the current trends in urbanization—especially its impacts on at-risk and low-income populations all over the world. The article is an example of frank, tough talk at its most provocative.
FULL STORY: Everything you thought you knew about cities is wrong

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
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Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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