None of us are strangers to the sci-fi genre. In fact, it’d be safer to claim that we’ve seen one too many films depicting what the future will look like. Whether it’s Spike Jonze’s Her, Luc Besson’s Lucy, or basically any other sci-fi dystopian movie predicting what the world’s future will be like, believable is hardly the term anyone would use to describe them.

Exaggerated and funny better befit such works of art that speak of an unfathomable future. More often than not, these works signify the fears of the time in which they are created.

Unsplash | Albeit scary works in the dystopian sci-fi genre barely ever have a realistic ring to them

What About Architecture?

Picture a futuristic movie you’ve seen recently – what do you see? They are probably gigantic, technologically advanced buildings, people in flying cars, all acting to an order that they fully understand but which looks chaotic to your eye. When it comes to the future of our cities, predicting future developments is not an easy task.

Cities of the Future

According to National Geographic, here’s what cities of the future will look like:

Urban Hubs

In densely developed hubs, using sustainable land both outside and inside the hub will help provide people with the food, water, and recreational activities they require. Building tops will be graced with green roofs, encouraging small-scale farming, gardening, and the use of solar panels. High-capacity, high-speed social transit systems will help reduce emissions and commute time. Hydroponic technology will also govern urban farming.

Unsplash | Rainwater capturing mechanism, such as the one present in Singapore’s Art Science Museum, will be installed everywhere

Self-Contained Neighborhoods

Neighborhoods are to be designed in a manner that also daily needs are a 10-minute walk away. Housing types will be varied, allowing all workers to be closer to their office. Supplementary clean energy will be provided by wind turbines place atop office buildings, underground farming using hydroponic technology will help produce grow even underground. Drone commuting, in which remotely controlled drones will be able to transport people within the city, is also expected to become a popular commute choice.

Smart Buildings

Smart technology and planning will be used in designing and creating buildings, with natural elements incorporated through and through. Sky gardens will be incorporated into every building, providing shaded social areas while also promoting natural airflow. Walls and windows will be created out of solar panels to make use of the sun’s free energy resource.

Pexels | Low-rise buildings will ensure that the sun’s light reaches the ground for health purposes

Bottom Line

It is possible to look at current industry trends and build upon that to determine what might be in the works tens or hundreds of years from now – but again, they’ll be works of the imagination, and the reality might be largely different. Nevertheless, determining key material composition and construction style might be a clear winning indicator and a step in the right direction.