The document envisions cities of the future becoming more pedestrian-focused, green, and sustainable. Superblocks will minimize cars and maximize walking, biking, and public transport like driverless vehicles and subways. This approach revitalizes local economies by getting more people out of their cars and into public spaces. Cities will also generate more renewable energy through solar, green roofs, and sustainable water management. Workplaces will decentralize into hubs while many people work remotely. As global talent is attracted to dynamic city economies, urban centers will deepen cultural diversity and connections worldwide.

1. How do you envision the City of
the Future
Express Yourself – Question L
Cristobal Sapena Lafuente

2. Open and Green
Image Source: http://6iee.com/data/uploads/20/573874.jpg

3. Pedestrian Superblocks
 Superblocks are being introduced already in
Barcelona and Vitoria.
 The aim is to open blocks to pedestrians
 The trend will expand to whole city
centers and boroughs
 Cities will minimize carspace
 More people walking around is proven to
revitalise small businesses and local
economies
 This in turn creates a more cohesive local
society and feeling of comunal belonging
 This also responds to growing demand for
cleaner cities, as cars are one of the mayor
contaminants (noise and pollution-wise)
Image Source: http://www.vox.com/2016/8/4/12342806/barcelona-superblocks

4. Driverless Public Transport
 As cars disappear from superblock interiors,
Public Transport will beome the main inter-city
transport mode
 Subway Systems will dominate as they are
less intrusive and polluting
 Bus routes will also be relegated to outside of
superblocks as demand for open spaces grow
 Public bicycle systems will continue to grow
as a quick and flexible transport within
blocks
 Vehicles will still be used for transport to and
around Superblocks, but they will be driverless
 Safer: most accidents are due to human
errors
 Faster: More efficent coordination between
vehicles will reduce traffic jams Image Source: http://www.thealternativedaily.com/austrian-student-designs-bike-bottle-
collects-water-thin-air/

5. More Sustainable
 Clean Energy
 Green Roofs will moderate energy use
(warmer in winter and cooler in
summer) and provide a more pleasant
and clean environment
 Solar Panels will develop to be
inconspicuous and prevalent (for
example in windows) reducing energy
demand.
 Green Spaces
 With less cars and more space, cities
will increase green spaces for
wellbeing and aesthetic reasons
 Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems
(SuDS) will reduce water usage and
flood risk from urbanisation.
Image Source: http://xpsolutions.com/Resources/suds-are-we-ready-for-flow-through-structures/

6. Dynamic and Interconnected

7. Economic Motors
 Dynamic drivers of the economy
 The closeness of multiple industries
generates economies of scale, synergies
and innovation
 Economic opportunities will make
urbanisation deepen, relegating rural areas
to vacation spots or specific industry towns
(which will continue to automate)
 However businesses will decentralize
 Large company offices will be a thing of the
past
 More dynamic workplace: Companies will
gather in Hubs to maximise synergies
 More flexible: Many employees will work
mostly at home
Image Source: http://oakland.new.impacthub.net/

8. Part of a Global Network
 Cheap transport and demand for
skilled workers will attract talent
from all over the world.
 As part of a global network,
cities will have more in
common with each other tan
with the hinterlands
 Cities will continue towards multi-
culturalism
 Will develop communal
identities from city’s lifestyles
as opposed to ethnic identity.
 Homogeneous rural communities Vs
Multicultural cities will continue to
be a main driver of political
conflict in the near future

9. Thank You!