Swanson School of Engineering

The Renaissance was a time of great change, where human society focused on creativity and scientific thinking rather than strictly religious authority. Florence began to thrive culturally and economically when people began to value education and artistic expression. In today’s society, the same changes continue to evolve as we are currently very focused on technological advancements, global connection, and equality. This shaped what urbanization has become in our world today. We are starting to see cities grow into more sustainable environments where we focus on energy efficiency. This includes transportation systems, construction techniques, waste management, and housing. Cities like Tokyo, for example, are world leaders in this area and have grown to be one of the most populous cities in the world. This growth can be attributed to education, large job markets, and cultural diversity. These are very desireable traits to many people, so it makes sense why so many people decide to live in areas like this. Overall, I believe urbanization reflects the changing priorities and habits of human society as well as what we have learned from our past and how we’ve adapted to find new and better techniques.