The New Science of Cities
A brilliant synthesis of how concepts from complexity science change our understanding of cities. Scaling, fractals, and simulation models are clearly explained and used to demonstrate how flows and networks shape cities and how they can be better predicted and managed for improving urban planning and design. A great book for an emerging urban science.(Denise Pumain, Université Panthéon-Sorbonne, Institut Universitaire de France)As Michael Batty reminds us with fascinating historical excursus, the idea of developing a 'science of cities' is not new. However, today's explosion of measurements in the urban field -- the so-called big data phenomenon -- is opening up possibilities that were unthinkable just a few years ago. New research territories are looming, to which this book is a compelling and perfectly timed guide.(Carlo Ratti, Director, SENSEable City Lab, MIT)Michael Batty has followed a career that has made him the prime interpreter of urban modeling in all its forms. Now his remarkable work has become the foundation of a new science of urban flows and networks that uses big data and sharp theory as tools to dig deep into how and what cities are, and how they can be designed in better ways. This is the book that sets the benchmark that all others will have to follow.(Nigel Thrift, Vice-Chancellor, University of Warwick)Overall,The New Science of Citiesis an ambitious and laudable undertaking, one that Batty admits cannot be comprehensive, but which, even so, may well be seen as a milestone.(New Scientist)