Future trends in urban planning

THE world’s population is projected to reach 9.8 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion in 2100. By 2050, two-thirds of the global population will be living in cities. Aside from the extremely rapid increase in population, the current and future effects of climate change, like catastrophic weather events and rising sea levels causing cities to sink, are very alarming. Our natural resources that are supposed to sustain us and future generations are rapidly declining. In fact, our use of the world’s natural resources has tripled during the past 40 years. These circumstances may paint a dismal picture of the future. Fortunately, cities around the world have been transforming their urban plans and designs based on the urgency to rethink how cities should be designed, particularly to restore and preserve our valuable natural systems, reduce carbon emissions, and improve quality of life. To ignite sustainable change, the following must be considered to create a sustainable and resilient future city ecosystem: natural capital, water capital, bio-mimicry, arti

transportation, and and adaptability.

Natural capital refers to the world’s supply of natural resources and infrastructure systems like forests, wetlands, river basins and coral reefs, which lessen the impacts of weather-related hazards

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These also improve air and water quality and act as carbon sinks. Sadly, our natural capital is diminishing faster than we can replace and augment them. Moreover, cities are among the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases.

Biomorphic urbanism is the framework that strengthens and restores natural systems rather than destroying them while concurrently accommodating urban growth. “Bio” means life and “morph” means form, so biomorphic urbanism means cities formed by life. Biomorphic urbanism helps cities prioritize protecting ecological systems while developing infrastructure and communities. Instead of the prevalent urban sprawl that are replacing dense, tree-covered areas, cities should be designed to be more compact to avoid development in protected areas. Singapore’s Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) program is an excellent example of how city government concentrates on reviving natural ecosystems, which in turn become healthy and vibrant public spaces that communities can enjoy. Under the program, Singapore has created an impressive 8,000-kilometer network of waterways and reservoirs, which also gives people in the city a secure source of water. The Kallang River in the Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park was once a 2.7-km concrete drainage canal. Now, it is a thriving 3.2-km river ecosystem. The 62-hectare park where the river is situated was also redesigned to adapt to the river system’s changing water levels. People in Singapore now have an abundance of nature in the heart of the city where they can enjoy various recreational activities.

Alongside natural capital, sustainable water capital must also be guaranteed. Unfortunately, urbanization has progressed at the expense of our waterways. According to the UN, “over two billion people live in countries experiencing high water stress.” Worse, because of climate change, we are both experiencing intensifying water scarcity and an excess of

- ing. China has found a solution for both by creating the “Sponge City Initiative.” The program aims to convert 80 percent of China’s urban areas into nature-based and

such as low-elevation greenbelts, grass swales, and increased tree cover that also serve as rainwater storage. Sponge cities are designed to absorb large amounts

disperse it back to the waterways. Yanweizhou Park in Jinhua has become one of China’s iconic projects. The park is located on a 26-ha peninsula where two rivers converge to form the Jinhua River. While the wetlands were revitalized, riparian edges, bioswales, green pockets, pathways, pavilions, and pedestrian bridges were also added. The colorful bridges were designed above a 200-year

term

accessibility. The park not

- plain, it is now a resilient and beautiful public space that reconnects nature to the residents. If you will notice, many of the answers to our urban challenges can be found in nature. Today and in the future, architects, engineers, planners, scientists, and other professions will adopt bio-mimicry to search for

that are patterned after elements, systems and strategies from nature.

Continuous discovery of major technological advances will be the lifeblood of future cities. Smart cities will likewise be a future trend in urban planning. Smart cities harness information and communications technology and integrate it with development planning to deliver more efficient and highquality urban services that ultimately enhance the quality of life in the city. Future smart cities will

- ligence, and robotics, among others. Current and future technology and the data available can help solve urban problems such as excessive

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tion, energy shortage, pollution, natural disasters, and crime incidences, just to name a few. When it comes to transportation in future cities, the use of electric and driverless vehicles will expand. These will be powered by clean battery technology that will contribute to a cleaner, pollution-less atmosphere.

High-speed mass transit such as the hyperloop will also be a predominant mode of transportation. This will substantially reduce travel time and emissions while effortlessly transporting people and goods within and across cities.

How we plan and design our cities now and in the coming decades will determine our future existence on this planet. Certainly, we have to be wiser in terms of planning and building our cities. Delaying or denying the responsibility to do so will be disastrous. A key takeaway about the future of urban planning is “ecological health and human well- being are not mutually exclusive.” If we plan cities that protect and celebrate the environment and educate people to be eco- advocates, we will be in the right direction toward sustainable, safer, smarter, resilient, more livable, and healthier future city ecosystems.