Rockefeller Foundation Commissions Authors On 2050 Cities

"Century of the City: No Time to Lose"

by Neal R. Peirce and Curtis W. Johnson with Farley M. Peters

The Rockefeller Foundation, 447 Pages

One in every ten people lived in urban areas a century ago. Now, for the first time ever, most people live in cities. By 2050, the United Nations projects, almost three-quarters of the world's population will call urban areas home. The majority of this growth is centered in struggling, developing countries of the Global South, but cities in developed (or Global North) countries face increasingly complex challenges as well.

Around the world, unplanned urban expansion is multiplying slums, overburdening housing, transportation and infrastructure systems, stifling economic growth, and leaving millions vulnerable to new environmental and health threats.

To help manage and plan for this accelerating urbanization, the Rockefeller Foundation convened an exceptional group of urbanists--leading policy makers and government officials, finance experts, urban researchers, members of civil society organizations, and other innovators--for a Global Urban Summit at the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center. This book shares their diverse perspectives, creative approaches, and urgent agenda for harnessing the vast opportunities of urbanization for a better world.

TO ORDER, email rockefeller@forbesamg.com and include 'Century of the City' in the Subject line of the email form. There is no charge for the books; however, you can order only up to two copies this way.

Greater Quantities: For consideration of requests for multiple copies for pertinent conferences or other group purposes, please email details of your request to rderrick@rockfound.org and put 'Century of the City multiple request' in the Subject line.

Hat Tip: Dr. Lenneal Henderson, former Center board member, who helped track the meetings and compile the research for the book that resulted from the month-long Global Urban Summit in Bellagio, Italy in July 2007.