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Repeat It." We Need An Enlightened Approach To Design Cities of The Future, Learning From The Experience
Repeat It." We Need An Enlightened Approach To Design Cities of The Future, Learning From The Experience
Throughout history, cities have been at the heart of human development and technological
advancements [1]. Although an element of planning can be discerned even in the earliest cities
they have often evolved in response to the changing needs and aspirations of their inhabitants.
Some cities have survived for millennia, including Rome, Athens, Cairo, Alexandra, Baghdad
and Beijing, and are still flourishing. Other, once mighty, cities have disappeared, their ruins
being unearthed by present-day archaeologists. A fascinating example, built by the Khmer
civilisation, is Ankor Wat [2] in present day Cambodia, which boasted features very relevant to
the design of future cities. Notable achievements by the ancient Khmer engineers were the
control and distribution of water through a sophisticated canal system irrigating agriculture
within the city bounds supplying citizens with ample food. The fundamental problems that the
Khmer solved were the prevention of flooding by Monsoon rains, and storing water for the
subsequent periods of drought. Despite its success over 8 centuries, AnkorWat collapsed in
1431 [3]. Climate change resulting in extended droughts is considered to be a contributory
factor, which even the excellence of Khmer engineering was unable to counter.
Although in designing cities of the future we have a much greater range of technologies than our
ancestors, we must not make the hubristic mistake of assuming that these will ensure our success. The
words of George Santayana are apposite, “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to
repeat it.” We need an enlightened approach to design cities of the future, learning from the experience
Conclusions
The “Future Cities” topic employs a multidisciplinary approach to address the urban
development challenges facing emerging cities. This can integrate environmental technologies,
comprehensive urban development, fiscal sustainability and good governance, to provide
emerging cities with a set of tools in order to improve the quality of life globally.
New-born babies in developed countries are projected to have a life expectancy of 80+ years
[155], with the majority living in cities, increasing yet further the demand for energy, water,
food, housing and other services. However, cities are struggling with climate change, changes in
population and demographics, congestion, healthcare, and pressure on key resources. In the
future innovative technologies/approaches will create considerable market opportunities to
transform existing conurbations into the efficient, attractive and resilient cities of the future.
Nevertheless, simply applying innovative technologies alone will not guarantee the
combination of sustainability and acceptable living standards for future cities…good
governance and management will also play a pivotal role. This can only be provided by utilizing
technological advancements optimally whilst also developing short and long term
management, organization and development strategies to realize the desired objectives.