Magazine

Richard Saul Wurman, who coined the term “information architecture,” lives by the principle that information needs to be understandable. The 73-year-old, Philadelphia-born architect and graphic designer has published over 80 books, aiming to clarify subjects ranging from Tokyo to health care. Wurman is, however, perhaps best known as the creator of the highly successful Technology/Education/Design (TED ) conferences, the mission of which is to start conversations about “ideas worth spreading.” With the belief that “understanding precedes action,” Wurman has set out on a new project called 19.20.21 focusing on the contemporary phenomenon of supercities. Wurman will collect and disseminate data on 19 cities (ranging from Mexico City to Lagos to Moscow) that have 20 million people in the 21st century. Visit the project’s Web site, 192021.org, for more information.