In her book "How To Build A City," journalist Gabriella Bennett embarks on a global journey to explore how architecture and urban planning are adapting to contemporary challenges. The book, drawing on two years of research, highlights innovative solutions to crises ranging from military threats to environmental instability and evolving social needs.
Bennett's exploration includes the underground city beneath Helsinki, originally conceived during the Cold War to house nearly a million people and equipped with amenities like shopping centers and swimming pools, ready for deployment within 24 hours of a potential Russian attack. The book also touches on the resilience of Ukraine, where Bennett visited the ruins of destroyed homes and an architecture school training future rebuilders, vividly describing the impact of conflict on cities like Kyiv and Lviv.
The narrative also delves into the unique urban landscape of The Villages, Florida, a large retirement community where golf carts are the primary mode of transportation, and churches are adapted for "drive-by worship." This section is noted for its portrayal of a close-knit community and its social dynamics.
Other examples of architectural adaptation include Sweden's city of Kiruna, which is relocating buildings, including a 672-tonne church, on remote-controlled platforms to escape the effects of iron ore mining. Bennett also recounts an experiment in Tokyo, where she spent 24 hours interacting only with automated or robotic services, finding it surprisingly easy.
The book's premise is further illustrated by an incident at Glasgow Airport in 2007, where an improvised explosive device attack was thwarted by a concrete pillar, minimizing injuries. Bennett's work also briefly explores the appeal of life simulation games like The Sims, developed by Will Wright after his home was destroyed by a wildfire, suggesting a societal desire for control in uncertain times.
Ultimately, "How To Build A City" is presented not as a literal construction manual, but as an examination of human resilience, strength, and resourcefulness in the face of adversity, as reflected in the design and evolution of urban environments worldwide.