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Following the UN declaration in 2008 that the majority of people now live in cities, there has been an explosion of city-themed commentary in magazines, newspapers and books.  The Economist and The Walrus have both run notable urban-themed issues and now Scientific American has followed the lead and dedicated the September 2011 issue to cities.  These media outlets have capitalized on the broad scope that city analysis permits - allowing musings on geography, sociology, architecture and governance to name a few.  There is also a realization, stressed in the Scientific American feature, that cities are the future. Not too long ago cities were characterized by urban decay, riots and white flight to the suburbs, whereas they can now embody economic powerhouses that drive innovation.  City commentary also focuses on the growing 'green' agenda, where by virtue of having a smaller carbon footprint urban dwellers can provide lessons for responding to climate change.  It is in this context that Scientific American praises the positive role of cities and calls for public policy to provide greater support to our growing cities.  Though the magazine provides 11 separate articles, I focus on a couple of the key themes below.

Though the summer weather has stayed away, Vancouver is experiencing a growth in street activity.  The increased number of specialist food vendors is being rightfully celebrated as the city's foodie culture breaks out into the street.  Parts of downtown and beyond are also regularly closed to improve the pedestrian experience as part of the 'VIVA Vancouver' initiative.  Downtown Granville Street, for example, is pedestrianized at weekends to accommodate street entertainment and outdoor seating.  Yet despite this resurgence I feel something is missing from Vancouver's public spaces.  Newspaper kiosks. To a European urbanist the prevalence of newspaper boxes in a city is strikingly impersonal, not to mention lacking in choice and design.  This may be a strange time to be defending print media, but the kiosk is not dead (at least not yet) and can be a tool for enriching Vancouver's public spaces.