Newsweek recently asked three leading architecture firms to imagine what our future cities would look like in 2030. They posed the question to Richard Meier & Partners, Cooper Robertson & Partners and HOK and had them take a look at the future of New York City, and how the way we commute, live, work and play would all change. All of the firms proposed that sustainability would be a major factor in our development, with more efficient transportation and buildings, more green space, more walking and homes that are closer to our place of work. The firms underlying vision of the future was that quality of life was richer and healthier as a result of the sustainable advances.

Richard Meier & Partners proposed that waterfront areas would be covered in green spaces to add more recreational places for city residents. While transportation along the North and South cooridors, the cross town transportation needs significant improvement. They proposed strengthening cross town public transportation and adding destinations at the end of the nodes. In the future, Richard Meier & Partners thinks that people will work closer to where they live to reduce time spent commuting and that the segregation between work areas and live areas will lessen.

Richard Meier – Live Work

Richard Meier Partners-LiveWork

Richard Meier – Recreation

Richard Meier Partners-Recreation

Richard Meier – Transportation

Richard Meier Partners-Transportation

Cooper, Robertson & Partners envisions more open space will be created in the center of the island and that Broadway Avenue will be transformed into a green spine of parks. Industrial areas on the fringe of the city, like railyards, and waterfronts will become mixed-use live/work developments with commercial areas. Transportation is altered by large infrastructure changes to the rail network bringing new routes into the city, and an increase in commuter options like streetcars, dedicated bus and bike lines, and ferries.

Cooper Robertson – Live Work

HOK-LiveWork

Cooper Robertson – Transportation

Cooper Robertson Partners-Transportation

HOK believes that buildings are more than just places to live and work, that they also function to deal with waste and create energy. Energy efficiency is very important as well as installing solar panels, and micro wind turbines in as many locations as possible. The line between living and working will blend, and people will want to live closer to their work so as to make the most of their time at work and home. Open spaces that are attractive will critical to get people to walk more and a whole new series of passages and linkages will have to be created. Because there will be more options for walking and more efficient public transportation options, people will drive less.

HOK – Live Work

HOK-Work

HOK – Recreation

HOK-LiveWork

HOK – Transportation

HOK-Transportation

Via Newsweek

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