Cities developed dramatically during the Industrial Age. Cities developed around factories (a large number of workers had to live nearby). Cities were justified by scarce and slow communication capabilities (for information and for people). Significant value was created in cities, as the rubbing of diverse population created a fertile ground for creativity. Costs of living in cities rose in proportion to the value that was created there. Because of poor planning, some cities became congested beyond the bearable.
Many parameters that made cities indispensable in the Industrial Age are disappearing today. And, indeed, there is a tendency for affluent, highly qualified people to move back to the countryside, with its low cost, high quality of living. They use their internet connection to compensate distance and maintain their network.
Are cities doomed? It is not sure as they are still an extremely effective way of living in terms of resource utilization (land, energy…), as long as they are properly planned and maintained. And face-to-face interaction, the creation of core teams, is still very important in the Collaborative Age; it will remain.
Cities will probably stay but mutate into different animals. They will probably evolve into more sustainable forms where networks of public transportation will irrigate cradles of creativity. The borders with the countryside will blur. And they will be more open, networked.
How do you think cities will evolve?
