Architects Will Investigate ‘Metabolism’ of Future Mega Cities at Icsid 2009 in Singapore

The next 40 years will see rapid urbanization and migration from country to city life. With the world’s mega cities (pop. +10mil) set to increase to 60 by the year 2050, and 75% of the world’s population expected to live in urban areas by the same time – how can the cities of the world develop and sustain themselves in the future?

David Nelson and Stefan Behling of Foster & Partners, and Richard Hassell and Wong Mun Summ of WOHA will attempt to envision not only these issues, but use Singapore as a case study of a city with limited resources for the next 40 years.

Foster & Partners will explore qualities that make up Singapore’s ‘metabolism’ – how it provides assured energy and food, while creating a sense of well-being for its residents.
“As architects, we will focus on urban sustainability as an immediate opportunity for a rapidly urbanizing world and explore the role of buildings in this evolution.” Say David and Stefan. “The creation of sustainable and humane habitats will determine the long-term success of humans on earth.”

WOHA will test new cross-programmed infrastructure, urban and architectural typologies to address the pressing issues of water, food and energy security that a city like Singapore will face tomorrow. “In the spirit of seeing a country as simply a large design challenge, we aim to renovate Singapore for the massive changes of the coming century.” Say Richard and Mun Summ.

Toshiko Mori, Principle of Toshiko Mori Architect has a slightly different approach to building urban areas of the future. She believes that when it comes to urban planning, a designer should investigate beyond the city itself and analyse its network of rural support systems including natural infrastructure, wild zones and undeveloped land. Her aim is to renegotiate the notion of the ‘rural’ within the current climate of intense urban scrutiny and develop analytical design plans that take into account the surrounding agriculture, biodiversity and rural land use to sustain the city.

Catch Foster & Partners, WOHA and Toshiko Mori Architect exploring how urban areas will be experienced in 2050 at the Icsid World Design Congress from November 23 to 25, 2009 in Singapore.

Portrait images: Icsid World Design Congress