ABSTRACT
The modern city can be seen in large part as an assembly of technologies for dealing with population density. While there are concerns about the long-term viability of current levels of material, water and energy use, it is important to recognize that these are not aberrations caused by Western consumer culture, but necessary techniques for dealing with city life. No doubt the sustainability of urban systems can be improved, but doing so will involve an unravelling and rebuilding of the very foundations of cities and their infrastructure.
