A person with long dark hair wearing a red and gold patterned top looks off to the side of the frame and smiles. — Toa Ghatak

A story thought of on a car ride by a five year old, looking at his father playing with the controls- wondering if he could be friends with the cars too, creating a story in his head as the window wipers wave to him and they pass over a pothole.

A student in school, excitedly turning in a creative writing assignment to her teacher- having written all about the future, where she’s in a high speed train of glass and views, going anywhere she wants.

A teenager, reading their Young Adult fiction, often set in dystopias and utopias, still dreaming of the future.

…

A mechanical engineer, working with urban developers to fulfill his fantasies, making his country a haven for automated cars and transportation for everyone.

[1 billion people lack access to all weather roads in developing countries.]

A local politician, unveiling the new public train station, made with reused glass and surrounded by public parks- the feedback her teacher gave about ‘lack of realism’ didn’t ring true anymore.

[75% of cities have <20% of their space dedicated to public areas and streets as of 2020, with the target being 45-50%. Similarly, only 50% of urban residents are able to access public transport.]

The engineer lending a hand in sustainable urban development, creating vertical forests and apartments with built in air filtration, hoping to avoid the dystopian future of clean air becoming a rare commodity.

[Creating apartments and high-density living areas is increasingly important as 3 billion people are expected to live in overcrowded slums by 2050, as well as the growing problems regarding air pollution.]

…

Perhaps that five year old had seen a copy of the Magic School Bus [Joanna Cole, Bruce Degen] cover winking at him in a library, inviting him to learn.

Maybe that elementary schooler had seen the spaceships and transportation in ‘The True Meaning of Smekday’ [Adam Rex], hoping to bring it to her world.

Maybe that teenager was reading Want [Cindy Pon], and didn’t want to see that future of capitalism commodifying breath.

Soon, a college student might read Fahrenheit 451 [Ray Bradbury] and 1984 [George Orwell], then observe the freedom of speech around them. A well established businessperson may read Evicted [Matthew Desmond] and start working with their communities, through nonprofits and charities.

A good piece of literature can shape and change the trajectory of one’s life, especially in cities.

The library you see there will encourage our next generation of scientists to reach for the future, helping the packed-in populations around them.

And our writers will continue to share what they want for the next generation and what changes needed to be made in the current—

and only then can the institution of science be important enough to help.

Literature and humanities must work in tandem with the focus on STEM in our world to be able to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.