The pandemic has intensified the use of technology. This, in turn, has led to new behaviors that will impact the next ecological transition and how we experience our cities and homes.
It is not a novelty
We have always adapted our way of life to new technologies: the difference now is that change has been imposed on us quickly.
Today the impact of new technologies is more about a change in culture than in habits.
The mutation has occurred, and it has already taught us a lot. The commercial areas of the cities have emptied, the residential ones are full but lack some services.
The impact on buildings
The short-term impact on architecture will be very strong: people's needs change rapidly, which is why buildings must change quickly too. The most obvious examples? The construction of entire hospitals in a few days, or the rehabilitation of existing structures.
Hotels are being transformed into long-stay accommodation. Empty shops are used as temporary office hubs. Companies not using their offices are inviting students to use some of their space during university closures. Even cruise ships (the example of MSC is very recent) are trying to adapt themselves as smartworking spaces.
The pandemic has made us aware of the need for flexibility.
We build structures that will last for centuries. To maintain their value, they must be adaptable to short and long term changes. And the ecological transition will have to make them even more sustainable.
The impact on spaces
The pandemic has also changed the way we use public space. Walking, cycling, public transport, meeting in the park prevents the spread of the virus.
Attractive parks and public spaces, cycling and walking paths have become more important than ever for the city.
In summary: the impact of the pandemic has finally led both people and politicians to work towards a sustainable transformation. For a true ecological transition. Covid has given us, despite the general tragedy, the necessary impetus to create a society without carbon emissions.
Here are five predictions about the direction of this possible, and in many ways desired transformation.
Quality of life before proximity to the workplace.
We will no longer accept commuting for hours every day to go to work. We have learned that many professions can offer work, even quality, from a distance. Offices will still be important centers for meetings, social gatherings and collaborative work, but I predict that many companies will need less space in the city. I also foresee the rise of medium-sized cities located close to the metropolitan belt, because in smaller cities people can find a better quality of life at a lower cost.
Return to the city on foot.
Sustainable transformation requires less transport. Therefore, the ecological transition will give us a demand for more mixed cities where we have everything we need within walking distance or by bike. City to travel in 15 minutes, to be synthetic.
We don't want to travel long distances to large shopping districts or malls that close at night. We would like to spend our days in a thriving and diverse environment, but closer to where we live. This will require more mixed cities, which can also be covered on foot.
The new rise of culture.
Retail plays an important role in today's city, but the pandemic has taught everyone that you can also shop remotely. The ecological transition, then, will generally lead to more conscious and less compulsive purchasing. For this reason the trade will probably keep smaller showrooms in the city, while the stocks will be kept outside the city. With fewer shops, the social offer will have to include more cultural offer to keep city life vibrant.
Bookshops, playrooms, open spaces for discussion, perhaps innovative hubs that will compensate a little for the large multiplexes. The limit is creativity.
Beautiful parks and public spaces
In the last century the impact of the Spanish flu led to an increase in investment in parks and public spaces. Pandemics seem to spread more in more densely populated areas, which is why having more open and organized spaces serves our well-being.
Public parks also help characterize cities, counteract the increase in heat in urban areas and contribute to biodiversity. We will also find innovative ones, capable of redefining the difference between closed and open spaces.
Efficient use of existing facilities.
Empty buildings are death to city life, we saw this during the pandemic. Empty buildings are also a waste of resources and produce less revenue for their owners. I believe we will see a wave of transformation of existing buildings.
To embrace the ecological transition we will need to be good at using buildings for more than one purpose, avoiding them remaining empty (and useless) for most of the day.
