French president Nicolas Sarkozy solicited input from 10 architects on how they would envision a Paris 20 years into the future. Each architect was given 35 minutes to describe the strategies they would employ to a group of experts.
It is customary for French presidents to have some type of extraordinary monument as part of their legacy, but with Sarkozy, he’s looking far beyond what his predecessors left--he's looking to re-dream the entire city.
Sarkozy asked for practical proposals that were doable, but added that the architects had "the absolute freedom to dream."
Almost every conceivable possibility was presented by the architects. Some wanted waterways laid out as a "porous sponge," others fields where people could plant gardens, and some wanted large forests around the city.
Crowdsourced City Designs
Nicolas Sarkozy Picks Architects' Brains on Future Paris Cityscape
Trend Themes
1. Crowdsourced City Designs - Opportunity for cities to gather input from multiple architects and experts to envision future urban landscapes.
2. Practical Yet Dreamy Proposals - Architects can offer practical, feasible ideas while still having the freedom to dream big.
3. Diverse and Innovative City Concepts - Architects explore various innovative concepts for the future of cities, such as waterways as porous sponges and large surrounding forests.
Industry Implications
1. Urban Planning - Urban planning agencies can use crowdsourcing to gather diverse ideas and develop future city designs.
2. Architecture - Architectural firms can leverage the opportunity to propose practical yet visionary concepts for urban development projects.
3. Environmental Sustainability - Companies specializing in sustainability can contribute ideas on how to integrate natural elements like waterways and forests into urban environments.