Science and the City

The latest issue of Nature journal examines the special relationship between scientists and cities and how each can bring out the best in the other. It contains lots of great and feature articles on the synergy between urban areas and scientific innovation. Some of the articles are behind a paywall, but there’ s a lot that’ s available to non-subscribers as well.

More than half of humanity now lives in cities, and the urban population is swelling by a million people each week. That concentration of people gives rise to some of the world’s greatest problems, but also to its greatest innovations.

Looking at the best cities for science (free)

Interactive graphics show where in the world high-impact research is clustering.

Paris plans science in the suburbs (free)

Euros flow in to boost goal of creating critical mass of cross-agency research effort.

The urban equation (free)

With the majority of the human population now living in cities, Nature takes a look at the implications for scientists.

The century of the city (free)

The explosion in urban population looks set to continue through the twenty-first century, presenting challenges and opportunities for scientists.

Environment: Mexico’s scientist in chief (free)

After winning a Nobel prize for helping to protect the planet, Mario Molina is tackling a much more difficult problem – trying to clean up Mexico City.

Building the best cities for science (free)

Which urban regions produce the best research – and can their success be replicated?

Save our cities (free)

Scientists researching problems such as water management should focus more on urban areas.

Cities lead the way in climate-change action (subscribers only)

Scientists should do the research to help mayors prepare for a warming world, say Cynthia Rosenzweig, William Solecki, Stephen A. Hammer and Shagun Mehrotra.

A unified theory of urban living (subscribers only)

It is time for a science of how city growth affects society and environment, say Luis Bettencourt and Geoffrey West.

Climate economics: Hot in the city (subscribers only)

Robert Buckley cautions that financial incentives alone will not fuel urban adaptation to climate change.

Synthetic biology: Living quarters (subscribers only)

Synthetic biology could offer truly sustainable approaches to the built environment, predict Rachel Armstrong and Neil Spiller.

Nature podcast (audio) (free)

On the streets of London, Richard Van Noorden tells Charlotte Stoddart which cities are best for science and why

More info

Nature Specials: Science and the City

Via: Grist – How cities are good for science, and vice versa