Wir kennen die spezifischen Starken unterschiedlicher Stadte, wissen um ihre Position im Qualitats-Ranking, konnen etwas uber ihre Dichte aussagen und uber ihr Wachstum. Aber was haben alle Stadte gemeinsam, was wissen wir uber ihren kleinsten gemeinsamen Nenner? Die Stadt als Gattung, die Gene der Stadt und ihre Entwicklung: das ist das Thema von A Quantum City. Dieses kolossale Werk ist eine Liebeserklarung an das stadtische und die intellektu-elle Kultur. Vom Jahr 320 v.u.Z. an verfolgt der Leser die Odyssee einer fiktiven Erzahlfigur durch die Stadte der westlichen Welt bis in die heutige Zeit. Das Buch ist in vier fundamental angelegte Kapitel gegliedert und kann diskursiv Seite um Seite gelesen und betrachtet werden. Doch auch durch willkurliches Vor- und Zuruckblattern entstehen immer neue facettenreiche Bedeutungen: intellektuelle Hochstleistungen werden teils obskuren, teils profanen Ereignissen gegenubergestellt. A Quantum City wirft einen inspirierenden Blick auf die Stadt in uns und um uns herum.

We know the specific strengths of various cities, are aware of their ranking, are able to discuss their density and growth. But what do all cities have in common, what do we know about the “lowest common denominator”?

The “city as a species”, the “primal genetic material of the city”: this is the subject of A Quantum City. This colossal work is a love letter to the city and intellectual culture.

We follow the fictional narrative figure, Orlando, beginning in 320 BC, on his odyssey through the Western world up to the present time. The book is divided into four interrelated chapters and can be read page by page in a discursive manner, however randomly browsing through the book also offers new and multi-faceted interpretations. Great intellectual achievements are compared with obscure and mundane events. A Quantum City offers an inspiring view of the city that is in us and around us.

We know the specific strengths of various cities, are aware of their ranking, are able to discuss their density and growth. But what do all cities have in common, what do we know about the “lowest common denominator”?

The “city as a species”, the “primal genetic material of the city”: this is the subject of A Quantum City. This colossal work is a love letter to the city and intellectual culture.

We follow the fictional narrative figure, Orlando, beginning in 320 BC, on his odyssey through the Western world up to the present time. The book is divided into four interrelated chapters and can be read page by page in a discursive manner, however randomly browsing through the book also offers new and multi-faceted interpretations. Great intellectual achievements are compared with obscure and mundane events. A Quantum City offers an inspiring view of the city that is in us and around us.