Neil McCullagh
Whether your interests lie in real estate development, land use planning, environmental sustainability, architecture, economic development or more broadly on public policy, The Well-Tempered City by Jonathan F.P. Rose is an eye-opening read that illuminates the challenges of urbanization and brings the reader to question the status quo.
Rose reviews the history of urbanism, reflects on the positive externalities of cities and points to many inspirational examples of innovations employed by modern cities to respond to the rapid urbanization of the 21st century. The strength of this book lies in its continuity, its rigorous look at the history of cities, the challenges we face managing cities and a policy framework to guide the development of new, “well-tempered cities.” This framework for advancing healthy urbanization will animate policy makers, business people and citizens alike. It inspirationally addresses concepts of circularity of urban systems, coherence, resilience, community and compassion – each put forward by Rose as an integral element of advancing supportive, learning cities today and in the future.
Rose’s framework is an answer to the Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity (VUCA for short), which characterizes our current and forthcoming era of human development. While this term was born out of the study of military strategy, he uses it throughout The Well-
Tempered City to outline the challenges and dangers faced at a neighborhood level, a city level, nationally and internationally. This characterization of the challenge of urbanization elevates the discussion of city management by linking good city planning, municipal governance and local economic development with national security policy. His focus of urban issues places the priority, the responsibility and the action at a local level where positive collaboration can get things done now.
Rose makes a case for urbanization and enumerates the challenge cities face to sustain growth while simultaneously providing safe, high-quality-of-life communities for residents. He highlights the value of innovations that strengthen the capacity of cities to absorb more people and create healthy self-regenerating systems. But while he points out that growth adds stress on cities, he argues that creating environments that support and sustain healthy living ultimately benefits society far beyond the cost.
When I consider Rose’s approach, I am heartened by his written words, but even more so by the echo of our students’ voices in his themes. The Corcoran Center for Real Estate and Urban Action is focused on developing skilled professionals in the field of real estate who are also focused on strengthening communities, especially in neighborhoods with high concentrations of poverty. Each year at this time, we connect students through classes and internships to experiential learning opportunities to practice their skills in real estate and strengthen their understanding of community needs. We place students in positions with professional mentors across Boston in organizations on the leading edge of affordable housing, economic development, community development and innovation in government.
Most of these highly competitive students ask to be placed where they can make the most positive impact. This summer, some of our interns will be engaged in multidisciplinary efforts – from land use analysis to developing new concepts for affordable housing – across the city of Boston. Corcoran Center students apply the principles outlined in Rose’s book each day. They demonstrate the technical skill to support their organizations, while building capacity for compassion that is critical for tomorrow’s leaders to build healthy, strong, inclusive cities.
Neil McCullagh is the executive director of the Corcoran Center for Real Estate and Urban Action at Boston College and a lecturer in the Carroll School of
Management.
