A History of Future Cities
A History of Future Cities by Daniel Brook explores how cities like St. Petersburg, Shanghai, and Mumbai were designed as experiments in modernization, mimicking Western models to fast-track progress. These “instant cities” shaped economies, cultures, and politics in unexpected ways, blending imposed modernity with local identity. Brook argues that today’s boomtowns like Dubai and Shenzhen follow similar patterns, showing that globalization’s urban experiments are nothing new. Through history, this book reveals how cities drive societal change and the unintended consequences of rapid development.