‘Science of the city’: Towards a higher quality of urban life

Abstract

Cities have in the course of history become the dominant geographic settlement pattern all over the world; we live in the ‘urban century’. Cities integrate all dimensions of modern life, ranging from socio-economic to technological aspects. The organisation of such complex entities calls for a more integrative an inclusive scientific analysis and understanding of urban systems. The aim of the Special Issue Science of the City: Towards a Higher Quality of Urban Life, is to offer a synthesis of the contributions from the Advanced Brainstorm Carrefour (ABC) meeting, held on March 22-23, 2016 in Naples, bringing together experts who have provided a significant contribution to a fundamental reflection on the roots and effects of the modern city.