How Cities Work

Electricity powers the life support systems that keep our cities running Lights Trains communications even hospitals rely on this invisible force Without it our cities stop working and lives are at risk

Food Human life cant exist without it Its a citys most important source of energy In New York alone 8 million people consume 10000 tons of food every day With demand for food in the city so high the restaurants and supermarkets must be restocked on a daily basis Without new supplies cities will run out of fresh food in a matter of days putting the lives of thousands at risk

The worlds cities are growing at a faster rate than ever before An estimated 75 million people around the world move to an urban area every year And as our metropolises become more and more crowded architects designers and builders face a constant challenge how to create new and modern spaces in cities where every square inch has already been developed

People are the lifeblood of cities Its transport links are its veins and arteries If theyre cut off the city will die Thousands of people work every day at making it possible for city dwellers to be where they need to be when they need to be there Its an endless task demanding brain and brawn Without the army of drivers diggers planners thinkers our great cities would come to a halt

For centuries cities have been built near a fresh water supply Without water wed be lucky to live three days This most basic human need can be deadly too the wrong supply can poison us or get too close or careless and it can drown thousands in an instant With every passing year the challenge of providing water to billions of people becomes harder and harder