A new paper by Takayuki Kubo, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, situating Fukuoka among globally competitive regional cities through an assessment of quality of life and urban growth.
doi.org/10.1007/s107...
World-city theories leave significant gaps in explaining how regional, moderate-sized cities fit into the global urban system and how they balance quality of life (QoL) with urban growth (UG). This study simultaneously evaluates QoL and UG in Fukuoka City, Japan, using a dual-axis benchmarking framework. Building on a model first developed in 2014, the study compares Fukuoka with five peer cities—Barcelona, Munich, Melbourne, Vancouver, and Seattle—using 64 indicators grouped into four categories: (1) Livability and Community, (2) Security and Sustainability, (3) Resources and Productivity, and (4) Innovation and Interaction. Findings show that Fukuoka has sustained a relatively high QoL while making gradual gains in UG, although challenges remain in global connectivity and innovation. These findings provide context for recent urban policy initiatives, including the “Tenjin Big Bang,” “Hakata Connected,” and universal design policies. These policy initiatives have supported improvements in livability and business functions, although they have not yet fully closed the gap with peer cities. Methodologically, the study offers a transparent, policy-relevant benchmarking framework, while also acknowledging limitations arising from heterogeneous data boundaries and partial inconsistency between the 2014 and 2024 indicator sets. Conceptually and empirically, the findings position Fukuoka within emerging post-growth urban debates, illustrating how moderate-sized cities can pursue co-prosperity between QoL and UG under demographic and environmental constraints.
My new book, “New York, 1860,” is now available for pre-order at Barnes and Noble! #nyhistory #nyc #ny1860
A little info about our newest rescue and an update! Trudy is a breed called a Broad Breasted White Turkey. They are unfortunately bred to get very heavy very fast, so they can be sold for slaughter for a maximum profit (i.e. the heaviest birds at the youngest ages).
More info on my new book here…
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
If you're interested in (or worried about) far-right terrorism despite the Trump administration's ignorance, please allow my friend and colleague @hoffmanbruce.bsky.social and I to fill in some gaps for you. @columbiaup.bsky.social
FYI: Very steeply discounted hardcover copies of World Cities in History are for sale right now...
HUDSON VALLEY: TODAY we are participating in @hvgives to raise crucial funds for the animal rescue we do right here in your backyard! Head to the link in our bio to see what your contribution makes possible for the animals at the Sanctuary! 🐇🐄🐐🦃🪿🦆🐓🐖❤️
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‘He made us laugh and he never flinched’: America says goodbye to The Late Show and Stephen Colbert
Call back: An old one but a fun one to write...
Joshua K. Leon
Joshua K. Leon
Joshua K. Leon
Joshua K. Leon
Joshua K. Leon
The Guardian
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Woodstock Farm Sanctuary
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Jacob Ware
Winner, 2025 Airey Neave Memorial Book Prize, Airey Neave TrustShocking acts of terrorism have erupted from violent American far-right extremists in recent y... | CUP
Amazon.com: World Cities in History: Urban Networks from Ancient Mesopotamia to the Dutch Empire: 9781009444972: Leon, Joshua K.: Books
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“Year of meteors! brooding year!” wrote Walt Whitman about the year 1860. New York City was a tinderbox. As the country’s trading capital, the city was... | CUP
A Book is a Machine for Thinking by Joshua Leon Little boxes pile atop one another in varying shades. An omnipresent gold bounces from surface to surface like a ricocheting laser beam. The perfect s...
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Exclusive State Department records show: As the Trump administration abandons its humanitarian commitments, diplomats are reporting that the cuts have led to violence and instability while undermining...
