The city is multi-causal. It directs flows of humans, flora, fauna, minerals, and energy. The city is also constituted and catalyzed by these same components. This symbiotic relationship involves over half of all humans on the planet. Yet, a unified and comprehensive theory of its evolution, organization, and construction remains elusive. This is mainly due to the heterogeneous quality of cities. There is, however, a specie-like or familial-like evolutionary tree that could serve as a theoretical model for analysis. Further, there are certain patterns and markers that allow for one to explain recurring phenomenon with a degree of accuracy.
Specifically, there are certain institutions that guide humans to design, plan, and develop cities along a discernible trajectory. Institutions are often reactions to the evolution, organization, and construction of cities. Once in place, however, the institutions then help structure the city. Human, flora, fauna, mineral, and energy flows are constrained to a point by these institutions and structures. Evolution, therefore, is partially designed.
At certain key moments, however, events unfold that drastically alter the trajectory of a city’s evolution. We might think of this as being similar to the punctuated equilibrium theory within the biological sciences. Floods, earthquakes, epidemics, famines, wars, etc. can change a city almost overnight. These large-scale crises test the quality of institutions to the utmost. Those that best help manage crises must be understood; and institutions that can help to prevent or mitigate them must be constructed. For when cities fall, countries and civilization often follow.
What sort of institutions do you think are the most important for better urban-ecological-governance?
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