Planning the 21st Century City – Four Snapshots for a New Science

Abstract

Demographic growth and the continued evolution of cities call for a new approach to better observe and research our understanding of cities. A new science based on big data, urban modelling and network theory is emerging, providing a different and rather new perspective for planners and decision-makers so that they might learn about both current and future cities. In this article, the new science is briefly introduced from four aspects: Aggregate dynamics; Form and function; High frequency cities; and New tools & techniques for planning. Examples are given to show how this new science illustrates the real-time city, as well as the structure and functional boundaries of a city, while future practice and further exploration of this new science in urban planning and policy making are explored.