Urban Planning in Planet Earth’s Tragedy of the Commons

Book excerpt: Urban Planning in Planet Earth’s ‘Tragedy of the Commons’ explores the immediate challenges from climate change and environmental destruction. The critical problems lie in (1) the rapid growth of urban population throughout the globe, (2) the global dominance of today’s corporatist-oligopolistic economy including its power over governmental and social institutions, and (3) the challenges arising from new technology, including artificial intelligence, robotics, agriculture and warfare. These contemporary forces require a new approach to the problems of urban growth and development if we are to adequately address Planet Earth’s ‘Tragedy of the Commons.’ The final chapters recommend a broader scope of transdisciplinary education for urban plannning along with improvements in other forms of education to provide greater social responsibility from both corporate and political leaders.