Transforming Cities
Urban transformation doesn't mark the end of the city but the beginning of a new era: a redistribution of the city's functions. Companies aiming to re-energise their workforces and remain competitive have new opportunities to "think globally, act locally".
In a world where workers are uniting for change, the dynamics of the labour market are shifting. According to Mercer, the foremost trend for human resource departments worldwide is "improving the employee experience for key retention populations". This trend reflects a fundamental shift in the balance of power. The assumption is that this power struggle extends beyond just people: it also encompasses the role of place, with suburbs emerging as the new competitors to cities.
The traditional central business district, long associated with office-centric workspaces, is undergoing a transformation. Recent evidence illustrates the drainage of revenue from the city in Manhattan, signalling a potential decline of the central business district. This shift has a ripple effect across the globe, where workers are increasingly seeking alternatives to the traditional urban workplace.
Meanwhile, Australia has witnessed the rise of "e-changers" who have relocated from cities to regional and coastal areas while retaining their city jobs. In London, commuter-based revenues are declining, and anti-commute habits are on the rise. To counteract this, the UK's largest railway network, Govia Thameslink Railway, is offering discounted tickets on Mondays and Fridays. These trends suggest that the traditional concept of the city is evolving rapidly.
The concept of the city, which has been around for less than 10,000 years, has historically revolved around three key pillars: population, trade, and growth. While the trajectory of growth continues, what transpires within cities is changing significantly. The emergence of the "15-minute city" first popularised in Paris by Mayor Anne Hidalgo, and now being adopted in other cities like Seoul, represents a new model for urban living.
In a 15-minute city, all essential amenities are within a short walk, bike ride, or public transit trip from one's home. This concept is rooted in convenience, community building, and reducing reliance on cars to combat climate change. While these changes are embraced by many, they also stir controversy, as seen in Oxford, where plans to limit private vehicles have sparked international attention and led to conspiracy theories.
The influence of the 15-minute city is evident in towns and suburbs, as well as in the adaptation of city centres to mixed use developments. This concept involves repurposing central business districts for business, residential, and public spaces to attract new forms of tenancy or create new income streams during evenings and weekends when offices are under-occupied. It also reflects the live/work culture of the moment.
Examples from around the world highlight this shift. Melbourne's Mad March features a month of city-based festivals and attractions to draw people to the city. In Saudi Arabia, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City focuses on creating a downtown that is mixed-use and caters to residents, tourists, and businesses. In Lithuania, Zaha Hadid Architects are redeveloping mixed-use spaces in Vilnius.
In 2017, physicist Geoffrey West noted that many people who could work remotely chose to remain connected to urban centres. However, the convenience of working in a domestic setting has played a significant role in the shift away from purely office-centred cities. White-collar workers seek a work-life balance, and advancements in technology have made it possible to unite their professional and personal lives.
This transformation doesn't mark the end of the city but potentially the beginning of a new era: a redistribution of the city's functions. Companies aiming to re-energise their workforces and remain competitive have opportunities to "think globally, act locally".
While the future may see offices relocating or fragmenting into smaller regional hubs, it's not necessarily a negative development. It reflects the changing needs and desires of the modern workforce and may lead to more sustainable, flexible, and balanced work environments.
The rise of the suburb, the 15-minute city and the transformation of central business districts are emblematic of the evolving world of work. Cities will continue to play a vital role, but their functions are being redefined to meet the changing demands of workers and residents, leading to a more dynamic and flexible future.