It can sometimes be fun to think of where society is
heading. Perhaps it is more wishful thinking than concrete concept but there is often a little bit of
science behind projections. If we look at the trends of data development,
global warming, and global business trajectories we may find that pressures
will create impetus to redevelop the declining urban cores into something more
economically and ecologically sustainable. Decision-makers are seeking
opportunities to raise economic activity and lower costs while reducing
pollution. The next economic platform will be based in the varying pressures
of the environment in which it develops.
Economic platforms often mirror city planning through the
design and development of a city’s infrastructure. City planning is something
that has existed before the Roman Empire all the way back to Plato’s Republic.
Europe is full of cities that once started off of the Roman designs and
continued to develop beyond these platforms to create mazes of unique chaotic charm.
This is one reason why you can find narrow streets mixed with eclectic shopping
districts. The American system is newer and may be in the process of
transformation.
Each platform is related to the economic and social needs of
the people. In ancient history, early settlements focused on protecting individuals from nature’s
elements and predators. As people moved away
from simple hunting- gathering societies and into agrarian existence they
naturally sought marketplaces where they could sell their items and seek
protection from invading groups. Most cities were located in agricultural land,
near waterways, or nestled in easily protected areas.
Eventually cities moved beyond agriculture to include the
production of cottage industry goods and industrialization. It was these
cottage industries that grew into the mega-corporations of today. This required
expansion of slim roadways previously designed for horse and buggy to those that could
handle larger vehicles and goods. Airports, railways, industrial complexes, and skyscrapers became
part of the mainstream. Those who did not like the industrial core moved out to
the suburbs creating economic hubs around cities. The dirty and polluted urban
core was abandoned by those who had access to wealth.
The next development of economic platform is not so easily
defined and is open to considerable debate. There is greater opportunity to
develop the high data and eco-city that reduces its carbon footprint while
increasing the economic capacities of its habitants. Old skyscrapers will be
rejuvenated, new technology implemented, and suburbs will be drawn back into
the city through civic, resource and data connectivity. Sprawl will decline as
resources move inward back to their urban centers where strong infrastructure investment
can be pointed.
The eco-city will be designed as an economic hub that uses
existing rail and roads with new data systems to create higher connectivity
between various components. Wi-Fi, fiber optic cables, mini parks, creative
spaces, coffee shops and other improvements will match to larger industrial
sectors to interconnect economic activity and development. A good idea can come from anywhere and
businesses will capitalize on them.
As a nation, we were once worried about exploiting our
natural resources. We are now more concerned about competing on an
international market and will need to match creativity with practical
production to develop better products and services. This cannot happen unless
the infrastructure of a city encourages creative activity, proper social
relationships, and economic advancement. Such economic centers will connect to
other areas to draw in physical and virtual resources for development.
The Information Age is marked more by the rapid and proper
use of data streaming into the powerful hands of the individual user. Each
person will be more connected to the system and able to control their
education, time, economic opportunities, and development. Cities will be better
managed with higher levels of interactivity that allow people to work virtually
with much less energy. Economic strength will be enhanced through collective
effort.
These systems are based on the ability to provide the
platforms needed for economic and ecological growth. Today’s businesses are
more information oriented than in the past and use physical resources at a much
more efficient pace. Maximum development
will require the connection of the individual to worldwide economic activity
through small shop and large organizational pathways. The individual within the
larger economic structure will take precedence through greater development of
the virtual organization. Education and training will be on the top of the list
for human capacity development while greater balance between small and large
business will be sought to ensure pipelines of innovative ideas.
