Joel Kotkin, “Los Angeles and the Future of Cities”

Joel Kotkin’s new book, The City: A Global History, discusses the evolution of cities from the earliest origins to the present. He maintains that successful cities have always been three things–places sacred, safe and busy. He traces the shift in cities over time, from the classical to the Islamic, Chinese and Renaissance cities to the industrial and modern eras. Our town, Los Angeles, has a prominent place in modern urban history as the original model for the sprawled, suburbanized city. Detested by many traditional urbanists, LA  nevertheless remains a critical laboratory for the future of cities not only in America but around the world.

×

Send A Letter To the Editors

    Please tell us your thoughts. Include your name and daytime phone number, and a link to the article you’re responding to. We may edit your letter for length and clarity and publish it on our site.

    (Optional) Attach an image to your letter. Jpeg, PNG or GIF accepted, 1MB maximum.