Edward Glaeser, professor of economics at Harvard and one of the foremost urban economists, has spent several decades defining the role of the city in people's lives. He summarizes his findings in his groundbreaking book Triumph of the City: How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter, Greener, Healthier, and Happier. The book changes the way we look at cities and argues that they support people's strengths. In his book, Glaeser takes you on a world tour of urban economies. In the fall, he's set to release a new book, Survival of the City: Living and Thriving in an Age of Isolation. It charts how urban spaces have transformed and will continue to transform in relation to the pandemic. Every crisis has always subsequently revealed a potential for improvements in the quality of life. Cities now stand at a crossroads; they can return to where they were before 2020 or take a step forward. But how should they change, and where are the lessons we can take? Nikita Poljakov, journalist and editor-in-chief of E15, will pose these questions.

The event was held in cooperation with the Sekyra Foundation.