City Quote by Paul Romer
“Rules about public sanitation are a simple and familiar example. Without them, a city can't be a healthy place to live; but these rules don't just happen. The rules for a city are different from the ones for a village, but as a village slowly gets bigger, a city may be stuck with the rules of the village.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Origin of Economic Growth, Paul Romer, 2016
Urban sanitation rules illustrate how institutions must evolve with scale; outdated village norms can hinder city health.
In simple terms: Cities need updated rules as they grow.
Key Takeaway
Adapt policies as populations expand.
Themes
urban planning
public health
institutional change
Mood
concerned
analytical
Type
policy
analytical
When to use this quote
- city planning
- public health officials
- community organizers
- urban developers
Key Concepts
economics
scale theory
governance
Questions to Reflect On
- How can cities identify outdated village norms?
- What mechanisms ensure timely policy updates?
A Different Perspective
Rules may be politically entrenched, slowing reform.
