The hottest Urbanization Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top History Topics

How China Is Like the 19th Century U.S.

Construction Physics • 38624 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
💾 History Economic Growth Urbanization Manufacturing Cultural Change Social Dynamics
  1. Both China and the U.S. experienced rapid economic growth during their respective Gilded Ages. This growth transformed them into major manufacturing powers with urbanization and infrastructure development.
  2. As both countries industrialized, they saw a significant shift from farming to manufacturing jobs. This change created vast new opportunities for individuals and fostered a culture of ambition and entrepreneurship.
  3. In both nations, a wave of corruption and scams emerged alongside economic growth, leading to significant social and legal reforms aimed at improving conditions and regulating businesses.

Three Billion Africans

An Africanist Perspective • 850 implied HN points • 10 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Demographics Economics Governance Migration Urbanization
  1. African demographics are changing rapidly, with the population projected to reach over 3 billion by 2100. This growth will impact economics and politics, necessitating changes in agricultural practices, urbanization, and governance.
  2. The increase in Africa's population presents both challenges and opportunities. Rather than focusing on limiting population growth, empowering women, enhancing education, and investing in agriculture can drive economic growth.
  3. For Africa's economic takeoff, a focus on boosting agricultural productivity, urbanization, and intra-Africa trade is crucial. These areas have the potential to support the growing population and lead to sustainable economic development.

The Sinking Cities Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1749 implied HN points • 18 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Geography Infrastructure Urbanization Politics Sustainability
  1. Mexico City and Jakarta are sinking due to various factors like draining lakes and illegal wells
  2. Indonesia's plan to move its capital to Borneo from Jakarta is ambitious but faces challenges like corruption and cultural differences
  3. The sinking of these cities raises environmental and social concerns that need to be addressed

Bad Weather Isn't Enough To Make Power Companies Bury Their Lines. So What Is?

North Carolina Rabbit Hole • 353 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
💾 History Infrastructure Public Relations Urbanization Technology Environmentalism
  1. Power companies find burying overhead lines too expensive compared to overhead lines.
  2. New developments in North Carolina are opting to bury power lines during construction.
  3. Historically, power companies moved lines underground to enhance urban aesthetics and meet rising electricity demands.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The Demographic Destiny of Cities

The New Urban Order • 179 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Demographics Urbanization Books
  1. Cities worldwide have seen unprecedented growth since 1980, but this growth is slowing down.
  2. Declining population growth will bring economic and social challenges, like older populations and changing demands for goods and services.
  3. Alan Mallach's new book highlights the need to adjust economic models and urban policies for a future with less population growth.

Huang Qifan on deepening reforms around urban-rural integration

Pekingnology • 45 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Reforms Urbanization Economy Public Policy
  1. Huang Qifan believes that blending urban and rural areas is crucial for China's growth. This means making sure both city and countryside develop together and share resources.
  2. He highlights that many farmers need bigger pieces of land to boost productivity. Current small farms struggle to produce enough food efficiently, which affects the entire economy.
  3. To make progress, policies must change to support farmers’ rights and income. This way, both rural and urban communities can benefit from their work and improve their living standards.

My Little Cockroach

Banana Peel Pirouette • 79 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
🔬 Science Biology Ecology Evolution Urbanization Animal Behavior
  1. Cockroaches have been around for millions of years and are found on every continent except Antarctica, adapted to urban environments due to global commerce.
  2. Humans have a unique disgust towards cockroaches, though other pests like mice and pigeons coexist with us and are even celebrated in popular culture.
  3. Our fear and loathing towards cockroaches stem from the way they challenge our perceptions of hygiene and control over the environment, showing how closely intertwined our lives are with these creatures.

Chinese Ghost Cities

An Interpersonal Journal • 79 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Urbanization Population Planning Real Estate Development
  1. China builds 'ghost cities' as future urban solutions by planning ahead and constructing modern, connected environments before the need arises.
  2. Urban developments in China, like the infamous 'ghost cities', prioritize thoughtful planning, amenities, and interconnectedness with main cities to accommodate growing populations.
  3. Chinese 'ghost city' projects have yielded successes in addressing housing demands, but also face challenges like slow population growth and displacing existing communities.

The New Geography of American Growth

Apricitas Economics • 66 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
💰 Finance Economic Growth Remote work Urbanization Job Market
  1. Economic growth in the US post-pandemic has shifted towards states like Florida, Texas, and the American South and Mountain West.
  2. Remote work has driven population influxes to states like Idaho and Arizona, resulting in significant economic booms.
  3. Florida and Texas have seen impressive job growth and have become major contributors to overall US GDP and job gains.

Dub Housing

Kneeling Bus • 156 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Housing Urbanization Luxury goods Globalization
  1. Housing shortages are common in desirable areas like Lake Tahoe due to a surplus of people and limited housing supply.
  2. The demand for housing in luxury tourist destinations can outstrip supply, turning basic human needs into luxury goods.
  3. There is a growing need to balance market forces with regulatory incentives to ensure fair resource allocation in areas like Lake Tahoe.

Rabbit Holes 🕳 #28

Creative Destruction • 5 implied HN points • 29 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Urbanization Sustainability Board Games Climate action Ecosystems
  1. Rurbanization blurs urban-rural divides by promoting urban agriculture for biodiversity and temperature control
  2. Conscious quitting reflects a shift where employees prioritize values over work and leaders focus on reputation more than action
  3. Climate-focused board games foster collaboration and learning about environmental issues while being an $11 billion industry

The Bronze Trade Origins of Cities

Arpitrage • 1 HN point • 23 Jan 24
💾 History Urbanization Trade Collapse Civilizations
  1. The emergence of cities in the Bronze Age was closely linked to the trade of bronze, which required both tin and copper.
  2. Trade networks centered around metals played a crucial role in the formation and growth of early urban centers.
  3. The end of the Bronze Age and the shift to the Iron Age saw changes in trade dynamics, leading to the collapse of civilizations and the rise of new economic systems.

What's up with ancient cities?

Tom Thought • 0 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
💾 History Urbanization Cultural Institutions
  1. Ancient cities were often more urbanized than medieval cities, despite medieval advancements in agriculture.
  2. The density needed for a city can be calculated based on land requirements for family units, which allows for different living arrangements between city and countryside.
  3. Early cities were primarily for collective defense, with amenities and cultural institutions evolving over time; the decline of urbanism in medieval Europe was due to changing values and security situations.