Inventing Urban Futures: Lessons from Three Centuries of City-making

As cities face rapid change and growing uncertainty, questions about how we imagine and plan for the future have taken on renewed urgency. This interactive event draws on insights from Bruno Carvalho’s new book, “The Invention of the Future: A History of Cities in the Modern World,” to explore how historical visions of tomorrow’s cities continue to shape contemporary urban planning and policy.

The event will examine how bold urban ideas over the past three centuries have influenced development, revealing both the power—and limits—of long-term prediction. Join the conversation to examine why some urban visions succeed while others fail, how social and environmental realities disrupt even the best-laid plans, and what past experiments in city-making can teach us about building more resilient and prosperous cities today.

Virtual event open to all. In-person event open to all Harvard University ID holders. Registration is requested as space is limited. Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees.

We welcome individuals with accessibility needs to participate in our events. Contact us at events@cities.harvard.edu to request accommodations or if you have questions.