What will our cities look like in twenty years? Urban planners, architects, and climate scientists are painting a vivid picture of life in 2045. One thing is clear: by then, cities will be changing in ways we can barely imagine today.
By 2045, most people on Earth will be living in cities — experts predict the urban population will exceed 70%. To accommodate this growth, cities will be expanding into areas that are currently farmland. Architects will be designing buildings that generate their own energy through solar panels and wind turbines built directly into their structures. Meanwhile, most commuters will be travelling by electric bus or bicycle, as petrol cars will be disappearing rapidly from city centres. Above the streets, delivery drones will be flying packages directly to people's homes.
Climate change will also be reshaping urban infrastructure in dramatic ways. Cities in southern Europe will be dealing with extreme heat every summer, requiring new cooling systems and shaded public spaces. Coastal cities around the world will be building sea walls and flood defences to manage rising water levels. At the same time, northern cities will be experiencing milder winters as temperatures continue to rise.
Socially, city life will look quite different too. On average, people will be living in smaller homes. Co-living spaces — where residents share kitchens, gardens, and lounges — will be growing in popularity, especially among younger generations. People will be spending considerably more time in public parks and community gardens, partly because private outdoor space will be increasingly scarce.
Technology will be transforming the daily experience of city life. AI systems will be managing traffic flow and energy use in real time. People will be using digital platforms to book every public service, from library visits to health appointments — all from a single app on their phone.