A proposal for a new way to understand cities and their design not as artifacts but as systems composed of flows and networks a brilliant synthesis of how concepts from complexity science change our understanding of cities scaling fractals and simulation models are clearly explained and used to . Michael batty reconstitutes urban space into an unrecognizable zone full of new discoveries this book is an invitation to travel novel vectors saskia sassen robert s lynd professor of sociology columbia university author of the global city the mit press cambridge ma 2018. To make better cities we need to shift to an evidence based approach able to draw on the best lessons of science and history about the making of good cities from a human point of view. The foundation for what he calls the new science of cities ohio based artist amy ca sey s ar t work twist amycasepaintingcom is featured prominently on the hard cover of battys book. The new science of cities by michael batty in the new science of cities michael batty suggests that to understand cities we must view them not simply as places in space but as systems of networks and flows