7 Trends That Could Shape Live-Work-Play City Dynamics In 2018
Cities have already been witness to a number of changes thanks to a rise in technological advances, as well as a slew of social and environmental changes that took place over the course of the last year.
In 2018, a number of trends could continue to disrupt the way people live, play and work, according to Fast Company.
1. Artificial Intelligence Will Be Used To Design Cities, Housing
AI can be used in a number of different ways, including to design cities. Researchers have started using artificial intelligence to analyze data about cities in order to better understand their characteristics and composition, while architects are using the smart tech to create structures for housing.
2. Cities Will Be Planned With Autonomous Vehicles In Mind
Although there has been more talk than action when it comes to autonomous vehicles and their perceived impact on the way people live, work and play, that could soon change. Though some design firms have started designing smart road systems specifically for driverless vehicles, forecasting and design will likely fall more on the shoulders of city planners who will work to ensure communities are prepared for the change in driving and road conditions.
3. Multigenerational Housing Will Increase
As affordable housing continues to be an issue, startup companies that create shared-living opportunities, including Nesterly, are expected to excel this year. Its solution to pair elderly homeowners with younger generations looking for affordable accommodations has been successful thus far, and is expected to carry on in 2018.
4. Public Spaces Will Be Designed With More Community Input
Plans to create The Garden Bridge, a pedestrian park crossing the Thames River in London, and Diller Island, a floating park in Manhattan, were abandoned due to public outcry over the spaces being designed without enough input from the community. This year experts anticipate parks and public spaces will be created with more consultation between public and private sectors, as well as feedback from the communities in which they will be developed.
5. Augmented Reality Will Drive Civic Engagement
Combining the digital world with the physical world is expected to become more prevalent in 2018, and it will play a larger role in civic engagement. The creators of Pokémon Go, for example, are working with the Knight Foundation to use augmented reality to encourage people to get outside more, explore the cities in which they live and attend community events.
6. Closed-Off Corporate Campuses Will Be A Thing Of The Past
Though isolated campuses like Apple Park have been prevalent to date, moving forward companies will increasingly look to designs that incorporate surrounding neighborhoods by offering mixed-use buildings and amenities. Google’s new Mountain View campus is one example of this trend. It will use green space as a public amenity in an effort to draw the community into its space.
7. Threats Of Flooding Will Shape Urban Development
Several hurricanes, such as Harvey and Irma, devastated regions of the U.S. last year. These natural disasters have made communities more aware of the need to plan ahead for future incidents. The threat of flooding in the coming years is expected to have the largest impact on the design of cities.
