Yale Explores… The 21st Century City and Society: Creating Sustainable, Vibrant, and Equitable Futures

The Yale Explores series kicked off April 16 at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., bringing together alumni, featured faculty, and President Peter Salovey ’86 Ph.D. to discuss the “21st-Century City and Society.”

The inaugural event featured a panel discussion moderated by Margaret Warner ’71, special global affairs correspondent for PBS Newshour. She was joined by Ahmed Mushfiq Mobarak, professor of economics; Elihu Rubin ’99, associate professor of urbanism in the Yale School of Architecture; and Karen Seto, the Frederick C. Hixon Professor of Geography and Urbanization Science at the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies.

Speaking before a crowd of more than 400 at the Newseum, the group discussed population growth, gentrification, and the impact of affluence on urbanization. The panel concluded by examining what defines a healthy city (quick answers: economic opportunity, whatever provides for a healthy planet, and access to food and transportation) and the biggest barriers to thriving urban communities (in short, politics that prioritize expediency over the greater good).

“We’re so pleased to kick off this series in Washington, D.C.,” said Salovey, who followed the panel discussion with remarks on the future of global society and Yale’s role in cultivating that future. “The three wonderful professors and the lively conversation they just had really exemplifies the multidisciplinary approach we take at Yale.”

Moderator

Margaret Warner ’71
Senior Fellow, Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs
Former Chief Global Affairs Correspondent, PBS Newshour

Faculty

Ahmed Mushfiq Mobarak
Professor of Economics, Yale University

Elihu Rubin ’99
Associate Professor of Urbanism, Yale School of Architecture

Karen Seto
Frederick C. Hixon Professor of Geography and Urbanization Science, Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies

Closing Remarks

Peter Salovey ’86 Ph.D.
President and Chris Argyris Professor of Psychology

Enjoy photos from the event