Triumph of the City : How our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter, Greener, Healthier, and Happier

Urban economist Edward Glaeser describes the rise and fall of cities, what makes them prosper and what leads to their decline.  Some of his conclusions are surprising: prosperity and innovation thrive in urban areas; human capital is attracted to and developed in cities. High density cities are environmentally friendly and healthy compared to suburban sprawl. Troubled cities improve when planners focus on the educational and cultural needs of residents, rather than building projects to attract new capital.  Highly readable, informative and thought provoking. Read more about the book and look up interviews with the author at the Triumph of the City website.