Conflicts of an Urban Age

While urban populations have doubled in recent years, their footprint has increased nearly five-fold and density levels dropped. Despite the popularity of the compact city model among policymakers, academics and planners, cities across the world continue to sprawl with little control. This panel discussion will examine whether spatial planning policy can tame urban growth and what the impacts of urban form are, if any, on productivity, the environment and social inclusion. Chaired by Ricky Burdett, Professor of Urban Studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science, the discussion will draw on Urban Age research. The Urban Age Programme, jointly organised by LSE Cities at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and Deutsche Bank’s Alfred Herrhausen Gesellschaft, is an international investigation of the spatial and social dynamics of cities centred on an annual conference, research initiative and publication.