Our towns and cities are crucial to our health, safety, economy, and culture. This is why we need to pay close attention to urban development, town planning, building permits and approvals, and many other elements so we can understand what the urban centres of tomorrow will look like.
Take a look at some of the key trends that are going to be affecting these urban zones in the future.
The Smart City
Just like the Internet of Things (IoT) has made businesses more data-driven, similar advances are doing the same for cities. Smart sensors deployed within construction projects are giving town planners access to different data points, ranging from foot traffic data to information on climatic conditions. All of this data can then be fed back into the planning phase as new buildings and design concepts are rolled out.
Data Privacy
As cities capture more data and as risk management professionals and other entities use this data to improve the situation on the ground, it is natural for citizens to have concerns. We can then expect data privacy to be built into the building application and approvals processes in the future as builders, designers, and planners are expected to demonstrate robust data protection measures. Building certification systems or software will likely play a big role in this as data privacy regulations may be built into rules and requirements that are deployed alongside the NCC (National Construction Code).
Extended Pedestrian Zones
In an effort to make our urban centres cleaner, safer, and more pleasant places for residents and visitors alike, we are seeing moves towards expanded pedestrian-only zones. We can see this taking effect in the work that has been carried out in pedestrian areas across Melbourne – work designed to improve public safety and security. This is also reflected in the plans for nearby Elizabeth Street and Flinders Street.
Better Public Transport
The governments of New South Wales and Sydney have recently shown themselves to be leading the way in the drive for improved public transport. This is going to be a big part of sustainable town planning in the future as reliable public transport is going to be the only feasible way to get cars out of the city centre, creating a safer, greener environment. NSW has already announced plans for 3,300 additional services across the public transport network, and this is set to be built upon with massive investment in transport infrastructure across the region.
Public Health and Wellbeing Districts
Town planners have really woken up to the impact they have on human health. This has led to the development of so-called Blue Zones, which are geared towards improving health. These zones are designed to support moderate physical movement and activity, to foster connections with nature through plants and green spaces, to nurture togetherness and community spirit with collaborative projects, and to expand the remit of designers and town planners beyond the creation of simple residential and office spaces.
Speak to Visual Approvals Today about Town Planning Software
To discover more about town planning and urban development, and how town planning software will play a role in shaping the future of our urban spaces, reach out to the Visual Approvals team today.
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