Norman Foster and Antoine Picon on Liveable Cities - 'Future of Cities' Conversations Series

Summary

In this insightful interview, a Harvard professor of architecture and technology explores the future of cities, highlighting the importance of blending nature with technology. The conversation covers topics like smart cities, the impact of the pandemic on urban life, mobility, and housing, as well as the challenges of suburban sprawl and slum conditions. Emphasizing flexibility, sustainability, and innovation, the professor advocates for a more adaptable urban design that balances local and global needs, ultimately posing a critical question: what kind of city do we want to live in?

Takeaways

• 😀 The future city must balance both nature and technology to create more environmentally friendly and livable urban spaces.
• 😀 The 'smart city' concept goes beyond just digital technology; it requires a focus on citizen participation, sustainability, and overall livability.
• 😀 The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated trends like remote work and digital integration, revealing the need for more flexible urban living and working arrangements.
• 😀 Workspaces of the future will be hybrid, blending home and office environments, requiring a shift in how we manage time and space.
• 😀 Urban mobility will become more complex, with individuals combining different transportation options like biking, buses, and shared rides, leading to a need for smarter, more flexible transportation networks.
• 😀 The '15-minute city' idea is promising, but cities must still maintain a global reach and connectivity alongside local convenience.
• 😀 Suburban sprawl remains a significant challenge for large urban regions. Innovative technologies like car-sharing will be necessary to make these areas more sustainable and connected.
• 😀 Improving the living conditions of slums will require agile, technology-driven solutions that address both housing quality and infrastructure needs without displacing residents.
• 😀 Globalization is not going away, but it must be 'civilized' by finding a balance between local solutions and global networks, especially in sectors like food production and supply chains.
• 😀 The future of cities is a political question as much as a technological one; decisions about urban design and development must consider governance, equality, and the collective well-being of citizens.

Q & A

What is the primary lesson from history that can inform the design of future cities?

The primary lesson is to expect change. History shows that cities will continue to evolve in unexpected ways, driven by both design and technological advancements. It's important to embrace the sense of change rather than assume stability.

How does the future city need to balance nature and technology?

The city of the future should be both greener and more technological. While integrating more nature, cities also need to harness technology to make them more environmentally friendly. Digital technologies can facilitate green solutions if used appropriately.

What does the concept of a 'smart city' mean in the context of this conversation?

A 'smart city' is not just about using digital technology but also about improving livability and citizen participation. It's about a new phase in the relationship between people, cities, and technology, akin to the rise of networks in the 19th century.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the future of cities?

The pandemic has accelerated existing trends rather than creating entirely new ones. It has highlighted the shift to online activities and emphasized the need to rethink urban spaces, including housing quality and the balance between physical and digital spaces.

What impact will the pandemic have on the nature of the workplace?

The workplace will become more flexible, with people working from various locations rather than just the office. This shift challenges the distinction between private life and work, presenting both opportunities and challenges for how we manage time.

What changes in mobility are expected in future cities?

Future cities will see more complex and flexible mobility patterns. People will combine different modes of transportation, such as biking, buses, and other forms, using digital tools to navigate and plan trips, leading to a need for more adaptable transportation infrastructure.

How could public spaces in cities evolve with changing mobility patterns?

Public spaces might become more flexible, where streets traditionally used for cars can transform into pedestrian zones or public spaces during certain times, offering dynamic use of space depending on the day, season, or demand.

What is the '15-minute city' concept, and what are its potential drawbacks?

The '15-minute city' aims to make everything needed for daily life accessible within a 15-minute walk. While this model promotes local living, it can neglect the importance of long-range connections in larger metropolitan areas, which require a balance between local convenience and global connectivity.

How do suburban sprawl and low-density urban areas affect the future of cities?

Suburban sprawl, which is unlikely to disappear, presents significant challenges in terms of density, transportation, and sustainability. It requires creative solutions, such as car-sharing and digital infrastructure, to improve transportation in low-density regions.

What are the challenges and opportunities in transforming slums into better urban environments?

The biggest challenge is improving living conditions in slums without displacing residents. Solutions require a blend of technology, such as digital tools for managing infrastructure, and political will to gradually improve slum areas while avoiding the problems of forced relocation.