Urban Trends Reimagining The City Life of Tomorrow

In a world that has changed unimaginably since last year, the way we move through the day is vastly different. With #stayathome, public spaces in most parts of the world remain empty. But that doesn't mean landscape designers and urban architects haven't been busy thinking about making the best of public areas. Contemporary urban trends and public spaces reflect that. This year we see innovative projects and inspiring products, all focusing on a livable future.

Living in a big city has always been a dream for many people. With the pandemic, many ideas about life have changed, and so it is also crucial to reimagine city life. Why people live in cities, what they have to offer – and how they can be more livable.

Last year's events have only accelerated urban trends that were already emerging in recent years: Natural elements are just as important as sustainability and technology for a better future in the city. Spending time surrounded by nature is something many city dwellers crave, not just since the pandemic, but especially currently when they are cooped up in their homes. E-mobility has already been one of the most talked-about urban trends and an essential concept for the future, connecting people and places while at the same time reducing carbon emissions.

This year’s winners of the iF awarded products in the category Public / Retail are the best indicator of the ever-growing interest in green urban design. Landscape architects and product designers have people's best interests at heart when shaping contemporary public spaces. And while some people may suddenly flock to the countryside, avid urbanites long to have the best of both worlds as life returns to normal: a vibrant city life with a thriving cultural scene with abundant greenery nearby for a climate-friendly future.

Future-oriented concepts use a city's streets, rooftops and sidewalks for their innovations: from organically-shaped urban furniture like "Satellite" to strengthen the sense of community among city dwellers to "LIFE CERSUDS", a smart pavement system designed to solve current problems like water and soil sealing. The "V-Plaza" a public park with curved elements, brings nature into the city in a playful way; the "Seoul Botanic Park" is a spectacular circular greenhouse, an oasis for any nature lover in the middle of a metropolis.

With cutting-edge technologies such as the "Infinity Mover", an autonomous train without the need for dedicated tracks on the streets, or the micro electric vehicle "Eli ZERO", designers create urban mobility that explores all possibilities and exceeds imaginations. What all these inspiring projects and products have in common? They all use public environments to make our world a better place.