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In a recent article, Jacques Attali, a French spin doctor, argued that last month’s riots in Swedish cities and the current demonstrations in Istanbul are two symptoms of the growing inequalities in Western countries (( Jacques Attali (2013, June 13), "La fragilité du modèle occidental", L'Express. http://www.attali.com/actualite/blog/social/la-fragilite-du-modele-occidental)). According to him, the poorest inhabitants of Stockholm and Istanbul feel excluded from the rest of the population because they have little access to education and housing.In our view, however, this issue does not only concern the Western world. Every country needs to address this issue. Inequalities between continents or countries seem to be narrowing whereas competition among cities, or even city districts, is increasing. We live in a world where it is easier for a citizen from Shanghai to relate to a New Yorker than to a peasant from Ningxia because he shares with the New Yorker the same urban life, work in the same environment and the same sort of entertainment.Governments seem to underestimate the importance of urban issues and as a consequence need to pay more attention to the claims of the urban population. Inhabitants often do not understand economic issues: can anyone really explain how US Federal or ECB fund rates influence the economy?  However, everyone feels concerned about his or her quality of life and living conditions. The uprising in Istanbul was caused by the Central government’s unilateral decision to redevelop Taksim square and to cut down the trees there. Now Erdogan’s decisions and government are being challengedIn Stockholm, but also in Paris and London, immigrants and their children feel stuck in the worst suburbs and are the first to suffer from unemployment.   Another point is that the authorities can no longer impose their urban projects, their “vision”, without the approval of their citizens. Governments cannot, on the one hand, ask the inhabitants to be proud of their city and to adopt good urban behaviour, while on the other hand, leaving them out of the decision process.There are still no urban riots in China, but even so, Beijing should have a close look at what is happening in Europe and Turkey. Contrary to what Jacques Attali argued, there is no cultural cause behind these events, but rather a unique urban culture.China’s urbanisation is still relatively new, but China should already start thinking about issues related to urbanisation that may arise in the future.One of this issues that needs to be addressed is the integration of the second generation of rural migrants. The possibility of receiving a good education and securing top jobs will greatly impact China’s future political stability. China should try to succeed where Europe failed.