Challenger Cities EP34: The Magnetic, Messy, Cities People Don’t Leave with Sofia Song

The Magnetic, Messy Cities People Don’t Leave — with Sofia Song

What actually keeps people in cities? It isn’t just housing supply, transit plans, or economic growth. It’s something far less tangible, emotional connection.

In this episode, we speak with Sofia Song, Head of Global Cities Research at Gensler, about the City Pulse study, one of the most ambitious looks at urban life anywhere in the world. Drawing on insights from 65 cities, 30 countries, and over 100,000 people, it explores what makes a city truly magnetic … and what drives people away.

We cover:

• Why people move for practicality but stay for feeling
• The underestimated power of emotional infrastructure
• How second-tier cities risk losing their magic
• Why boredom is the biggest predictor of whether someone stays
• What it takes to design places people can’t imagine leaving

https://www.gensler.com/press-releases/city-pulse-magnetic-city-2025