Urban optimism, grounded in data

“You’re too ambitious.” “It’s impossible.” “Nothing ever changes here.”

- ANNA MAE YU LAMENTILLO

These are the words that people say when you tell them you want to fix cities like Manila. That you want to make public transport dignified. That you believe sidewalks should exist — and actually be walkable. That informal settlers should have secure housing, not just eviction notices. That urban life in the Philippines can be fair, efficient, and even joyful. Some say it’s naive. Others say it’s madness.

But after completing a Master of Science in Cities at the London School of Economics, I’ve learned something critical: Urban optimism is not fantasy — it’s a discipline. And when grounded in data, it becomes a force that’s not only realistic, but necessary.

Look around the world

If you look around the world, you’ll see that urban transformation is happening — not in abstract theory, but in hard infrastructure, community governance, and measurable outcomes.