Common Measure Dept: Two U.S. theoretical physicists write that their study of thousands of cities around the world reveals several mathematical "laws." --As a city's population in-creases, so does its wealth and creativity. This "law" holds true not only in North America and Europe but also in such emerging economies as China and Brazil, and it is surprisingly precise: when a city's population doubles - whether it be to 800,000 from 400,000 or eight million from four million - wages increase by about 15 per cent. Patents per capita, a common measure of creativity, rise by roughly 15 per cent. Scientific American devotes its September issue to cities - and offers an unusually empirical lens on how to make them better, smarter. Although it never names Montreal, one of the many articles in particular holds blunt lessons for this city.When the size of a city grows substantially, say Luis Bettencourt and Geoffrey West, two interesting things happen.
(www.immigrantscanada.com). As
reported in the news.
@t luis bettencourt, theoretical physicists
6.9.11
