[nerdponx]

I think the benefits of living in a city on a day-to-day basis have a lot less to do with "innovation" than with positive returns to geographic density for a lot of activities and industries, like entertainment, fine dining, the arts, and public transit.

[kubanczyk]

Not to diminish fine dining or my biannual visits to the movie theater, but I think schools and kindergartens are the killer apps.

[nerdponx]

Also jobs, medical facilities, and various social services, which I didn't mention in my previous post.

[creakingstairs]

I agree! Though I think "innovations", in a broad sense, can also be a delightful reason to enjoy cities. I find a fair bit of really niche ideas (mini "innovations" if you will) when I go to an indie exhibition and that fills me with inspiration and joy. I know that your comment also covers this aspect ("the arts") but I think increased creativity from being near other people is worth pointing out.

[onos]

This thread points to the different motivations of individuals and those running a society.