The 20th century was not the century of urban planning. Every previous century produced its own specific cities where people still like to live or which they enjoy visiting. But where are cities of this kind from the 20th century? Brasilia, Berlin-Marzahn, La Défense? Convincing new forms have been created where modern developments have been integrated into the historic fabric: in Amsterdam, Berlin and in the dock areas of many harbour cities, for example. In the industrialized countries, there is no real need for new cities. The derelict areas within existing conurbations will be adequate for all new developments for decades to come. Why, then, do we continue to build unabated? The answer is: mainly for religious reasons; for the religion of our age is economics. Urban planning always reflected the political conditions of the time, and today that means the primacy of the economy. Günther Moewes