By 2050, it is estimated that 70% of the world's population will live in cities. But as society and technology change, so will the urban landscape—and our metropolitan future will be quite different from current cities, according to Fast Company and a panel of design experts.
Across the cultural grid, from food to retail to transportation, America's urban areas are already undergoing a major metamorphosis. Here are the six major trends shaping our cities, from Fast Company:
1. The "sharing economy" will apply to housing, too. The line between public and private spaces will continue to blur as people move into a wider range of spaces with shared kitchens and living rooms, while renting or owning their own bedrooms and bathrooms.
2. Restaurants will double as living rooms. City populations are only getting more densely packed, meaning that living space is at a premium. As homes shrink, restaurants will become not just a place to eat, but needed space for socializing.
3. Your office will look like a library. Every day, it grows easier to work from home. As a result, employees have begun to expect workspaces more comfortable, socially-oriented spaces when they do go into the office, and this is changing how offices are designed.
4. The big-box store will be on the block, but you won't need to go. Big-box retailers such as Walmart and Target are moving into the city, but shopping is slowly booming more automated—so you may simply be able to bring the store home with you.
5. Your health will become a retail product. More healthcare facilities are mimicking retail locations in their style, and health is becoming a consideration for all types of design and building projects.
6. Infrastructure and transportation. Technology will quicken the pace of infrastructure and transportation innovation, making intercity travel faster and safer.
Read the full article at Fast Company.
Related Stories
| Feb 4, 2014
Must see: Student housing complex made with recycled shipping containers
Architect Christian Salvati's new structure is just the first step in bringing shipping container construction to New Haven, Conn.
| Feb 3, 2014
Gehry wins bid to design Berlin's tallest tower [slideshow]
The architect's "rotating cubes" scheme for the 300-unit residential tower beat out design submissions by eight other prominent firms, including Adjaye Associates and David Chipperfield Architects.
| Jan 31, 2014
Trump Hotel Collections announces luxury hotel for Rio de Janeiro
The 13-story, 171-guestroom Trump Rio will be Trump Hotel Collection’s first property in South America and the only luxury hotel in the neighborhood when it opens in 2016.
| Jan 31, 2014
LEGO, Google partner to develop 3D modeling tool for LEGO structures
The free tool, called Build, allows Chrome users to create virtual 3D structures using any shape and color in the LEGO catalog.
| Jan 31, 2014
Ultra-modern McDonald's restaurant voted one of world's best new buildings
This McDonald's, which is combined with a fuel station and recreation areas, was awarded the Best Commercial Building of the Year by architecture website ArchDaily.
| Jan 31, 2014
6 considerations for rehabbing student union buildings
Most colleges and universities feel pressure to offer the latest amenities in order to attract and retain the best and brightest students. While hauling in the bulldozer to create modern facilities is attractive in some regards, deciding to renovate can be just as effective and, in some cases, even preferable to new construction.
| Jan 30, 2014
Mayors of 10 metros unite to cut building-related climate pollution
Organizers say combined initiative could cut as much climate-change pollution as generated by 1 million cars every year, and lower energy bills by nearly $1 billion annually.
| Jan 30, 2014
See how architects at NBBJ are using computational design to calculate the best views on projects [video]
In an ideal world, every office employee would have a beautiful view from his or her desk. While no one can make that happen in real life, computational design can help architects maximize views from every angle.
| Jan 30, 2014
The evolving workplace: One designer's inspiration board
"Open office" has been a major buzzword for decades, and like any buzzword, some of the novelty has worn off. I don't believe we will abandon the open office, but I do think we need to focus on providing a dynamic mix of open and closed spaces.
| Jan 30, 2014
How reverse engineering nature can spur design innovation
It’s not enough to copy nature. Today’s designers need a deeper understanding of environmental nuance, from the biome in.