The model for this new simplified world was American … Gary, Indiana, is almost derelict. But seventy years ago it was a new kind of model city planned in an ordered way around a giant steel mill. To its builders it was a chance to break with the complexities of the past. Adam Curtis, Pandora’s Box I: The Engineer’s Plot: A Fable From the Age of Science, BBC 1992
By the early ’50s vast reconstruction projects had changed the face of Soviet cities. ibid.
The empire had led to giant industrial cities rising up all across England. They were dark frightening places where millions of people lived in appalling conditions. What alarmed those in charge was the violence and the anger that was building up there among the masses. Adam Curtis, Can’t Get You Out of My Head V: The Lordly Ones ***** BBC 2021
[Ted playing Cluedo]: I must say, I miss the noise and the lights and the whole buzz of the big city.
Brother Hernandez: You were in Wexford, weren’t you? Father Ted s1e3: The Passion of St Tibulus, Channel 4 1995
Mexico City: the entire city is slowly sinking downwards. Supersized Earth I, BBC 2012
Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. ibid.
But in telling the stories of the first great civilisations of the ancient world I’m going to be making a case for civilisation itself. Richard Miles, Ancient Worlds I: Come Together, BBC 2010
It’s not the story of ancient worlds long past, it’s the story of us then. ibid.
Uruk – the mother of all cities. ibid.
Another ancient city – Tell Brak. ibid.
Despite all the calamities, the crises and dead ends, we have returned again and again to the possibilities offered by the City of Man. Hoping to get it right next time. There is no going back to the comfortable securities of family, kin and tribe. Civilisation has transformed us into a species which for better or worse chooses to live with strangers ... I’m optimistic ... We must keep the faith and try to make it work. Professor Richard Miles, The Ancient World VI, City of Man, City of God
Spies are drawn to cities where there is power and there is influence. Secrets of the Spies II: A Tale of Assassination, former intelligence officer
Alexander founded at least ten cities with his name. Alexander the Great II