William C. Strange of University of Toronto reviews “Triumph of the City: How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter, Greener, Healthier, and Happier” by Edward Glaeser. The EconLit abstract of the reviewed work begins, “Explores what makes cities the greatest invention of our species and considers the factors that shape the success of today's cities. Discusses what they make in Bangalore; why cities decline; what is good about slums; how the tenements were tamed; whether London is a luxury resort; what is so great about skyscrapers; why sprawl has spread; whether there is anything greener than blacktop; how cities succeed; and flat worlds, tall cities. Glaeser is Fred and Eleanor Glimp Professor of Economics, Director of the Taubman Center for State and Local Government, and Director of the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston at Harvard University. Bibliography; index.”
