Member-only story
Building the Cities of the Future
How to use human-centered design to build denser, more communal cities
Driven by rapid population growth, technological advancement, and ecological uncertainty, the need for sustainability in cities has created an opportunity for designers to pause and consider what life will look like in the next 20, 50, and 100 years. It is a moment that will define not only what future cities will look like, but also what they feel like.
Designing density in cities is high on the agenda of urban designers and city planners. With 55% of the world’s population living in cities, and that number predicted to rise to around 68% in the coming decades, we need to design more compact living environments.
Rapid organic growth and zoning have resulted in the sprawl of urban areas. Low- to mid-rise buildings spread farther and farther away from city centers, requiring complex transport infrastructures to keep everyone and everything connected. To prepare for both population growth and climate change, densification will be key. Multifunctional buildings that enable tenants to work, live, and thrive within one building or area are the ideal starting point for more compact living.
We need to ensure that multifunctional buildings can accommodate life’s…
