We crawled out from the shadows and stepped into the light; from chaos, we established order. The thrust of civilization has always been to organize communities to maximize life and great cities breathe and breed life. The truly livable ones provide opportunities for work and growth while still allotting space to play and unwind. They challenge us to see the world in new ways and give a sense of optimism that – despite the shadows that still lurk – all of life's possibilities can unfold at every corner.

See also