Edward Glaeser
Edward Glaeser is an American economist, professor, and writer. He is currently the Fred and Eleanor Glimp Professor of Economics at Harvard University, where he has been teaching since 1992. He is renowned for his research in urban economics, public choice, and the economics of cities, and for his writings in popular publications such as The Wall Street Journal and The New Yorker.
Glaeser has written several books, including Triumph of the City: How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter, Greener, Healthier and Happier (2011). This book is an ambitious examination of how cities shape the economic and social lives of people who live in and near them. Glaeser argues that cities are “the great engines of freedom”, and gives us a fascinating narrative of their importance in history, culture, and economy.
Glaeser’s research shows that, despite their natural nooks and crannies, cities are far more efficient than suburbs over many decision-making dimensions. This means that living in a metropolis brings with it far greater economic and social opportunities. For example, by bringing people together and making it easier for goods, services, and ideas to spread, cities foster economic growth and create a broader range of job opportunities, increasing social mobility and the quality of life of their citizens.
In his next book, The Triumph of the City: Edict of Mordor and the Rise of Human Civilization (2017), Glaeser turns his attention to the challenges that arise when cities become overcrowded and congested. He examines the environmental costs of urban development, as well as the consequences of government interference and regulation in the form of zoning laws. Through a series of case studies, Glaeser shows how cities can become both denser and greener at the same time, while still providing a comfortable and livable environment.
Glaeser is a highly acclaimed public intellectual and has received numerous honors and awards. Most prominently, he is a recipient of the John Bates Clark Medal (2003) recognizing economists under the age of forty who have made the most significant contribution to economic thought and knowledge in the past two years. His public speaking engagements include taking part in the World Economic Forum and speaking at the New York State Senate.
In addition to his academic and public lecturing endeavors, Glaeser is the co-founder and Managing Director of the Urban Economics Association and serves on the board of the American City Coalition and the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Urban Management. He also writes a regular column for BloombergView, where he shares his insights on urban economics, technology, and public policy.
Glaeser is an inspiring presence within the fields of economics and urbanism, and his books and writings offer a unique take on the modern city. It is his passionate outlook and commitment to the study of cities that have made him an influential voice in the study of urban economics, and he continues to challenge us to think creatively about our cities and strive to make them better, healthier places where people of all backgrounds can thrive.
