Here's what cities will look like in 30 years

Ian Pearson, a futurologist with an 85% accuracy track record, helped put together a report on what we can expect in the year 2045.

Advertisement

Pearson compiled the report with Hewden, a plant and crane hire and equipment rental company. The predictions focus on "what can we expect to see over the next 30 years in the construction industry."

That seems like a boring concept for a report on the future, but it has some interesting theories about how augmented reality and robots will become an integral part of people's everyday life, at home, and at the office.

Ian Pearson future report
Andy Scales

Here are the eight coolest predictions from the report:

Advertisement

Buildings will be run by an artificial intelligence personality (hello building-version Siri!)

Pearson futurization report
Hewden

The report envisions that building occupants will be able to talk to the building and place requests, like asking for an indoor temperature change.

Super tall buildings will function like mini cities.

Pearson future report
Andy Scales

With high-demand and high land costs, super tall buildings may be converted to house low and medium paid workers. They will function like mini-cities with floors dedicated to working out, residential space, and office work. 

Advertisement

Buildings' windows will be replaced by virtual reality screens.

Back to the Future window
screenshot

In "Back to the Future II," Marty's future home was equipped with a virtual reality window that could be changed to any scene (pictured above). The report envisions a similar future where buildings don't have windows, but virtual reality screens.

"This could be a very cheap and fast way of constructing cheap residential accommodation," the report notes.

People can spray on special coatings that add solar power generation.

solar desert
Chris Carlson/AP

The feasibility of solar coatings will depend on developments in nanotechnology to create nanoparticle-based material, but basically, the spray would be able to absorb and convert sunlight into energy.

Advertisement

Radiative heating and smart lighting will follow you as you walk around a room.

People by window
Shutterstock/ GaudiLab

The heat and light will be directed at you so you can walk around at the temperature you like with enough light exposure.

The report doesn't go into detail about how exactly this technology would work, however, there is currently a lot of research and development underway to improve lighting. 

For example, the Ario lamp—which was created based on research from NASA and Harvard—is a WiFi connected lamp that mimics the sun's natural light to help improve a user's health. 

 

Advertisement

Construction workers will wear exoskeletons to carry heavy equipment.

Iron Man suit
YouTube/ DigInfo TV

The Department of Defense is two years away from unleashing its Iron Man suit (pictured above), which is capable of performing many feats including lifting heavy items with ease. 

The report notes that as exoskeletons, such as ones used by the military, develop, we will begin to see them in the construction industry as well.

Advertisement

Dangerous construction jobs will be handled by robots.

robot
Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty

The report notes that robots will work alongside humans on a series of projects, but can take over jobs with a danger of explosion or collapse.

3D printing and robot assemblies will allow for rapid construction.

Komatsu drone Japan
YouTube/ CNET

The report states that 3D printing for construction is likely to progress quickly as new forms of concrete and other materials are developed. 

Advertisement
Close icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.