We've featured a few models of cities in the future, but this one of Shanghai in 2020 is an incredible demonstration of a jam-packed mega city of the future. By then the city hopes to have 25 container berths, making i 500,000
The model in the gallery, which was created to scale, is housed at the Shanghai Urban Planning Museum. The 1,000 square feet model takes up an entire floor of the building and is estimated to be the world's largest mini model of the Asian city.
Shanghai already has a population of 20 million, but since it is also one of the world's fastest growing cities, by the time 2020 hits, small space living will no longer be popular, but will become a necessity. Although Shanghai is trying to control population growth, this model doesn't show promise of that happening.
Beijing isn't far behind, with an estimated population of 21.4 million by 2020.
Photo credits go to Flickr users brandon, +tajc, larryncelia and pete&brook.
Shanghai in 2020
World's Largest to Scale Model
Trend Themes
1. Mega City Growth - As Shanghai continues to rapidly grow, opportunities for disruptive innovations in areas such as urban planning, transportation, and housing are becoming increasingly important.
2. Small Space Living - As cities become more dense and populated, innovative design solutions for small living spaces are in demand to maximize comfort and functionality.
3. City Modeling - Advancements in technology and 3D printing are increasing opportunities for scaled city models, providing new ways to embrace a city's development in a more tangible and accessible way.
Industry Implications
1. Urban Planning - Companies in the urban planning industry can benefit from creating innovative solutions to accommodate the growth of megacities and ensure sustainability and livability for residents.
2. Architecture and Housing - As small living spaces become more necessary in densely populated cities, there are opportunities for innovative design firms to create functional yet comfortable living spaces for residents.
3. Technology and 3D Printing - Advancements in the technology and 3D printing industry have the potential to revolutionize the way cities are planned and modeled, creating new opportunities for architectural and urban design sectors.