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
| Jan 17, 2015
When is a train station not a train station? When it’s a performance venue
You can catch a train at Minneapolis’s new Target Field Station. You can also share in an experience. That’s what ‘Open Transit’ is all about.
| Jan 16, 2015
Artsy lifeguard stations will brighten Toronto’s snowy beach
Five winning designs have been unveiled for lifeguard stands that will double as public space art installations on Toronto's beach.
| Jan 16, 2015
New York City construction costs continue to climb
A study released by the New York Building Congress shows that construction costs in Manhattan have risen 5% in each of the last two years.
| Jan 15, 2015
A reconstructed Taliesin West is the largest Frank Lloyd Wright LEGO Model [slideshow]
Artist Adam Reed Tucker used 180,000 LEGO pieces and 420 hours of work to recreate Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West campus.
| Jan 15, 2015
Construction materials prices fall in November
Construction input prices dipped 1.4% during the final month of 2014 and are down nearly 1% on a year-over-year basis, according to the Jan. 15 producer price index release from the U.S. Department of Labor.
| Jan 15, 2015
Libeskind unveils 'zig zag' plan for recreational center near Vilnius ski area
Perched on the highest peak between Vilnius' historic quarter and downtown, the Vilnius Beacon will be a hub for visiting skiers and outdoor enthusiasts.
| Jan 15, 2015
Illustrations capture essence of Aalto, Ando, Hadid, Foster, and other famous architects [slideshow]
The illustrations are Federico Babina's abstract interpretations of the styles of famous architects, from Frank Lloyd Wright to Bjarke Ingels.
| Jan 14, 2015
10 change management practices that can ease workplace moves
No matter the level of complexity, workplace change can be a challenge for your client's employees. VOA's Angie Lee breaks down the process of moving offices as efficiently as possible, from creating a "change team" to hosting hard-hat tours.
| Jan 13, 2015
Steven Holl unveils design for $450 million redevelopment of Houston's Museum of Fine Arts
Holl designed the campus’ north side to be a pedestrian-centered cultural hub on a lively landscape with ample underground parking.
| Jan 12, 2015
23 projects win AIA's highest architecture award
Bjarke Ingels' Danish Maritime Museum and William Rawn's Cambridge Public Library are among the winning projects.
