The world faces accelerated rates of urban expansion. According to the United Nations, 55 per cent of the global population currently lives in cities by 2050, that number is expected to reach 68 per cent, which means an additional 2.5 billion people will reside in urban areas.
Although cities may seem to be in a state of continuous expansion, their population growth has historically occurred cyclically. This growth has often brought with it many substance issues such and innovations have generally addressed these challenges, Though new hurdles will inevitably present themselves. In the early 20th-century invention of the automobile had a profound effect on peoples lives, however, this, in turn, led to people leading more sedentary lifestyles and health issues to proliferate.
Today’s cities are likely on the cusp of the largest global economic transformation and city leaders must prioritize their residents’ health, sustainability, and other basic needs.
Successful cities of the future will present vivacious, fluid, and flexible ecosystems along the lines of the “live, work, and play” paradigm, building on new opportunities while mitigating risks and challenges.
The best cities of the future will likely have the following characteristics
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Flexible workspaces and working hours. The ideal city will have a multi-skilled economy fueled by an always-on training and education system which is needed to adapt to ever-changing work requirements.
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Offer sustainable fluid environments that leverage prefabricated, modular building materials and efficient construction techniques such as 3D Printing technologies, cities will be self-sufficient and net generators of energy and food.
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No transportation congestion at all will result from more active mobility, Innovation in the ways people work, mobility solutions like AI controlled autonomous vehicles and subsequent traffic control systems.
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Citywide environmental controls with as close to pollution free air, optimum ambient temperatures and humidity, and adequate exposure to sunlight. Cities will be nature back to the spaces by building a network of interconnected parks, gardens and green facades, vertical tree groves and farms.
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A highly efficient clean water supply chain. Desalination and purification fueled by green power through the use of cutting-edge water management
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Access to affordable, healthy, and fresh food generated within the city through urban and vertical farms, with optimized supply chains, ensuring people get top quality food.
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Support for active lifestyles the city will have car-free or car-lite areas connected with walkable and bikeable streets and public spaces.
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Motivating landscapes and public spaces designed purposefully to promote peace and creativity, these spaces will create a strong sense of community and emotional attachment.
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Instantly available community services will provide the community with a way to interact on all levels at any time of the day.
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Zero or near zero crime rates due to artificial intelligence enabled surveillance and a smart public record system will make it possible to intervene in illegal activities before they occur while respecting privacy concerns.
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An integrated system of climate sensors, core city infrastructure systems, and city agents will help safeguard cities from natural disasters and infrastructure failures.
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Integrated smart health care, taking advantage of wearables, hygiene tools, smart homes, and emergency response systems will offer a truly joined up system which will provide the best possible care.
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Automated and transparent governmental services, enabled by automated distributed technologies that offer a high degree of citizen participation, ensuring service performance is directly tied to the ability to maintain service agreements.
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Convenient access to a large variety of leisure activities and pursuits, entertainment, sports, arts, culture, and spiritual events.