The last few weeks have been unusually busy- all of a sudden there seemed to be an influx of exhibitions, events, trend seminars all relevant to the Future City project; unfortunately the blog was disowned as a result. I find that writing this blog actually keeps my sane- I have so many ideas and quite clearly not enough time to tackle any of them so I find myself happily ‘chunnering’ away on this blog almost as a release. A blog isn’t written in pencil, it is published in ink and as long as my thoughts are scrolled on these pages I feel some relief in being one step closer to actually attempting them.
Onto the business. After a discussion with one of my tutors, I found myself at a crossroads- Will Future City be 1. A ‘surreal/ futuristic/ scenario’ project or No.2 ‘predicting reality/ brand focused/ reinforced by science’?
The ideas that I have and the final ‘look/ format/ presentation’ of the project fits profile No.1 but the content most defiantly fits profile No.2. I am constantly reminded that Future City will happen in one shape or form. Tabloids, respected figures in industry, trend seminars all reinforce my research... and as long as climate change and mass migration to urban environments is topical, Future City 2050 is a reality waiting to happen.
My research has lead me to believe that the city of the future will either be anchored in the clouds or underwater. As the North and South Pole icebergs melt, more than 40 percent of the Earth’s surface will be submerged underwater.
Cloud communities could provide environmental benefits. The facility can harvest rainwater while cleansing up pollutants in the earths atmosphere. Atelier Hapsitus proposes a similar version with its Dubai resort city, The cloud, a nimbostratus structure elevated on slanting legs that look like rain.
In contrast, the oceans covering over 70 per cent of the surface of our biosphere are relatively unexplored. However, the prospect of living under the sea has always held a fascination for man and over the last 40 years, various underwater habitats have been developed. Humans have learned to adapt to life on all parts of the surface of the Earth and have pushed the limits of technology to allow exploration of the unknown realms of space.
Imagine an underwater town or city that doubles as a wave energy facility, providing power not just for immediate community but also for the national grid. This has already been considered by University of Cincinnanti architecture students (ViewPoint 25). Their concept is an underwater resort that can be anchored or that can travel with the currents. It could be a destination used by scuba divers, fishermen, marine biologists or oceanographers. In addition to the unique submarine accommodations, the facility will also harness the perceptual motion of ocean currents and waves, producing enough power itself while providing surplus to small communities on the coast.
The benefits of hydropolis is that communities can cast off as weather conditions, climate change and desires dictate. Their possessions are streamlined, their clothing is designed for minimum resistance, and their jobs, schooling and social connections are all portable. They are adaptive to change, yet yearn to be tethered to others and maintain a sense of grounding.
Another new development is that I have taken the bold leap to collaborate with IBM. At first glance this may seem to be a wild card but on closer inspection the brand is heavily involved with a project they refer to as ‘Smarter cities’. It is invertible that technology will shape our future to some extent(including infrastructure and lifestyle) and IBM may have the financial influence and passion that the project needs to get of the ground. According to Forbes Magazine and Business Week, IBM was ranked the No. 3 ‘Most innovative brand’ after Microsoft and Coca-Cola.
I also attended the ‘Grand Designs’ exhibition in Birmingham which was fantastic. I wanted to attend because I felt that I needed to expand my research and attend a live event that would inspire me rather than trawling though books, magazines and the internet for inspiration. If I am honest the event wasn’t ‘future thinking’ enough for me- I am after all proposing a underwater hydropolis. But they had erected a ‘house of the future’ and I sat through a couple of Kevin McCloud’s talks which again were inspirational and reinforced what I had been thinking. It was also empowering to take my own photographs instead of referring to illustrations in books.
Since Grand Designs in October I have also attended a LS:N Global Trend seminar in Nottingham hosted by Chris Sanderson, co-founder of The Future Laboratory. A few important points that where highlighted:
Overview: Turbulent Teens-
The next decade 2013, 14, 15, 16... will embody change- a decade of continuous disruption. Revisit a similar decade 1910 revolution, world war, technology, car, electricity, birth of Hollywood.
Consumers will be optimistic although the work/ life blur becomes overlapped. There is an inability to cope with increasing development of technology.
The market is yearning for collaboration: new and existing brands become responsive, imaginative and engaging with customers.
The ‘big intimate’ event global brands become micro. This is a ‘we’ society and consumers value- local, live, real, cultural, connected, social, intimate, micro.
Technology is put back in its place.
Re- assessing the relationship between consumer, lifestyle and technology
Technology = increasing unhappiness on a social and personal level.
Consumers are re- thinking consumption. Reevaluating happiness and finding other ways to achieve it- more meaningful.
There are increasing community values: key works include- community, conversation, collaboration, creativeness, face to face, live gatherings, micro, bespoke.
In recent years there appears to be a social fracture- people are less sociable- WE want it back.
We are also reclaiming the city and streets. taking responsibility.
I once read this quote- 'Fiction reveals truths that reality obscures'.
Revolution= Evolution!
Revolution= Evolution!
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