People have been moving to cities for the last two hundred years from rural areas. Cities will become the drivers of future growth, like they are now.

As for cultural treasures, I notice you missed all the non western cities. Do you really think that culture exists only in the West? I bet you would be hard placed to name famous literary works out of China, the Middle East, India, etc. Or to name an emperor from those regions. Or to name ancient scientists from there.