Works In Progress #26

Behind every prosperous city, scientific breakthrough, or policy change is a complex set of systems that had to be designed, built, and maintained. From economics and urbanism to the frontiers of science and health, Works in Progress reveals how these systems work, and what it takes to fix them when they fail.

The print edition brings together our best articles with print-exclusive columns, beautiful art and design, letters from our readers and editors, and visual explainers of technology.

"Our cover story is by Robin Rivaton and Ben Southwood, on how China’s cities function as risk-loving municipal venture capital funds, and have turned the country into a continent-sized Silicon Valley. The issue also contains pieces by Dan Wang on the American Sun Belt, Nan Ransohoff on the world’s biggest problems, and Stephen Kotkin on Leninism’s fatal flaw."