The crises we are experiencing should fuel efforts to start building better cities now. A more cohesive and sustainable society arises from its public spaces and landmarks, good streets, squares, parks, memorials, theaters and museums. These are a city’s “living rooms,” where urbanity happens. A human construct by definition, a city is a setting for people to meet. We must shape its future.

-Jaime Lerner, from NYT article How to Build a Sustainable City