THE CITY OF THE FUTURE AS ENVISIONED

BY S. OKIRO

Today’s City

Characteristics of Today’s City:

• Large areas

• Mostly congested with higher population density

• Commercial hubs

• Multicultural & diverse, with few spots of discrimination

• More advanced but inadequate amenities and services: – Transport, energy, sanitation, hospitals, schools recreational centres

• Proximity to key assets, infrastructure and services

• Lots of interaction between inhabitants and businesses

• Inefficient use of meagre resources

The city of the future will: • Provide sustainable, comfortable living and social equality

• Reduce congestion, and strain on meagre resources

City of the Future

Resources are overstretched because of a surge in the population of current cities that has been experienced over the past two decades, especially in developing countries

I envision that the city of the future will have architectural structures, designs and infrastructure already existing today, but with improvements that will make buildings and environment more spacious and robust enough to accommodate populations without feeling the need for expansion. Designs will also be flexible and in readiness for constant change to allow for future expansion at low cost if and when needed. City administration will design and provide people-friendly intelligent streets and services. Socially there will be tolerance, every inhabitant of the city will be cared for and have a sense of belonging. Stricter environmental regulations, entry regulations, planning codes and policies will ensure these designs and initiatives are sustainable.

City of the Future

We are constantly innovating - seeking to increase comfort and improving our lives. We thus change our environments to suit our demands, needs and lifestyle. Then we adapt….innovate,

improve and change again

City of the Future: Built Environment - Design, Infrastructure & Amenities

City plan & design is driven by sustainability, reduction of carbon footprints, communication, energy and resource efficiency, interaction with nature and ethical & healthy living

Inspirational architecture, efficient clean modular designs with natural light & ventilation

and low dependency on electricity, environmental

friendly and low-cost building materials, energy efficient

buildings, prefab, elastic and Snap-On buildings

Need for ‘fresh air’, open spaces. Interaction with

nature, green spaces, people friendly social

spaces & leisure parks. Traffic free zones.

Improved transportation networks, energy efficient means of transport;

less CO2 emitting vehicles, less private transport with >97% of transport-public, buses and trains, more city

bikes and bike lanes

With less land available for landfill, and waste storage.

Environmental friendly materials/packaging become popular, waste will reduce, be recycled more and converted

to resources e.g. energy

Most of the city’s energy will come from renewable

energy sources such as Solar, wind and tidal

energy (for coastal cities). Machines and equipment

will run on less energy. Water will be recycled and also sourced directly from

rain via roof ducts.

Full adoption surveillance technology for crime

prevention and to provide security to inhabitants

City of the Future: Population & Demography

There will be increased migration from rural areas into the city, by people who want a better life and exposure especially in developing countries. Most inhabitants in the city will be within the working age: i.e. 15-64years, open-minded and professional.

City of the Future: Population & Demography

With advancements in technology, there is efficient travel network to drive or fly great distances; faster interconnectivity and mobility for instant communication via different media with people all over the world. – This reduces the importance of living in the city. So more people will find ways to work from home, either through remote employment, internet-based businesses and may seek quieter locations and migrate outside cities. I envision that population growth in the city will be steady and only happen with immigration. Our relationship with the physical community and need for ‘proximity’ to city will change as we work, study and shop from home. Thus reducing the burden on and demand for the city’s infrastructure.

With migration, more acceptability and tolerance for one another, the city of the future is multicultural and diverse, inhabitants are made up of a mixture of people from different ethnic groups, cultures and social status. The basic economic opportunities are available to all. Coming up with solutions and ideas will require multi-disciplinary collaboration. People will become specialists in a given field. With much of the population gainfully employed, insecurity is reduced to a bearable minimum.

City of the Future: Society, Inhabitants & Their Interactions

Environment

People

There will be social equality and equal opportunity for all as city administrators and leaders become accountable and politically correct, people will equally demand fairness, justice and better quality of life, leading to enhanced collaboration and mutual respect for one another. There will be transparency, and communication such that lines will be blurred between administrators and citizens. The needs of citizens will be supported through advanced social programs, healthcare and education. All these will have a knock-on effect, and ensure peaceful and safe environments since almost everyone would be catered for.

City of the Future: Society, Inhabitants & Their Interactions

City of the Future: Society, Inhabitants & Their Interactions

The city is intelligent, interactive and feels alive as it caters to needs of people. Rather than people adapting to the city, the city would be fluid and adaptable to the changes in people’s needs and their demands. Through advanced technology complex systems become available to help in day-to-day life.

The City of the Future, will focus more on people and social issues, ensuring life is better for all regardless of their social status or culture…

Thanks

S.O