Architecture And City Design In The Age Of Computers


The construction of a building or city has changed radically over time to reflect the availability of newer and more practical materials. Where once it was common to see wattle and daub walls and thatched roofs, the availability of steel and concrete has allowed for skyscrapers with hundreds of floors to be built with elevators for easy access. The most life changing advance in most facets of life has come through the increased use of computers and smart technology. How can these change the buildings we occupy and the cities they form?

With more integration of computers in the transport systems, people will be able to arrive at their destinations at higher speeds. The precision of computer driven cars can allow road ways to be designed in more space efficient ways which leaves more room for buildings. In addition, the use of smart phones can allow people to accurately time the arrival of their public transport so they have a better idea of how to schedule the rest of their day.

Computers may soon be able to print entire buildings. This system can allow for a much more environmentally friendly building process that is cheaper. Artistic designs that might have been impractical to previous generations could very easily be accomplished by a 3D printer and result in futuristic designs unlike anything seen before outside of science fiction.

With smart phones it is already possible to control your devices remotely but this ability could be gradually expanded so that you can set the processes in motion to start a meal or run your bath water in time for you to enjoy them both as you walk through the door. This can save you time that you could then put to a more productive use.

Naturally, some have complained that allowing machines to have so much control over our lives is a step in the wrong direction. Computers are not people. They operate on logic whereas humans are often driven by emotion. This can lead to clashes if our computer based technology becomes sentient enough to feel unfairly treated. An artificially intelligent enemy could prove impossible to defeat and spell the end for humanity. Fortunately this is still just one of many possible outcomes.

With the right people n charge, the buildings and cities of the future will be better than we can imagine through the integration of computer technology. Still, it would be wise to look out for the dangers that could arise.