Wonder City is a pioneering new study that casts a critical eye on the transformative changes sweeping through cities such as New York. Lynne Ellsworth's exploration of urban development encourages readers to actively participate in shaping the future of their cities.
Ellsworth navigates themes such as affordable housing, urban planning, historic preservation and architecture. With a focus on major cities undergoing significant transformations, Wonder City offers an insightful examination of the challenges and opportunities that define contemporary urban life and provides a critique of the real estate industry’s influence over urban landscapes. Ellsworth reveals how historic and culturally rich urban settings are increasingly being overshadowed by the rise of impersonal glass towers, a trend she argues is driven by the industry’s grip on politicians and technocrats. This analysis is eye-opening and unsettling, shedding light on the forces reshaping our urban environments.
Wonder City is more than a critique, however. Ellsworth provides a pragmatic blueprint for revitalising urban spaces. She champions the need for affordable housing, sustainable urban planning and architecture that respects and enhances the human experience. Her arguments challenge the prevailing economic theories behind housing supply and question the architectural ideologies that often justify the demolition of historic urban assets.
This book is an essential read for urban planners, policymakers, and anyone interested in the future of urban living. Ellsworth’s clear, accessible insights into complex issues make Wonder City a vital contribution to the discourse on urban development, appealing to a broad audience that cares about the dynamics and future of city life.
Fordham University Press, 384pp, 15cm x 23cm, illustrated hardcover, 2025
