Redefined Living

Principal architect, Jacques Orton of Orton Architects gives us his expert views on living in the future.

- 

The world’s urban population increased fivefold from the 1950s with the people living in cities surpassing the number of people living in the countryside. It is estimated that by 2050 two thirds of the world’s population will be living in urban areas with an expected global urban population growth of over 2.5 billion inhabitants. The bigger the populations, the bigger the demand on energy, food and water. Projections also indicate that there will be two times more people over the age of 65 than children under the age of five in 2050.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic more people are still flocking to our cities. It is never easy to predict what the world will look like after this economic crisis. How will labour patterns, travel and migratory flows change over the next few decades and how can architects prepare for these changes?

COMMUNAL LIVING SPACES

Co-living and changing habits – these days owning your own home and car is no longer a primary objective for most young people. It is estimated that the sharing economy will keep on growing to an estimated $335 billion in 2025.

The concept of co-living emerged in Denmark in the 1970s as high property prices and the increasingly lonely lifestyle of big cities led people to seek a new way of living that fostered a sense of community, sustainability and a collaborative economy. In this model, common areas are shared by several people and even families, saving resources and creating communal living spaces.