How the Future of Cars Will Force Us to Redesign Our Cities
by Adam Peterson
For more than a century, driving automobiles has shaped our behaviors, and that behavior has shaped our cities. But with self-driving electric cars on the horizon, how will architecture and real estate be impacted when the driver is no longer turning the wheel or pushing the pedals?
It’s a question city planners and architects like Gensler CEO Andy Cohen are already taking into consideration, as they anticipate how driverless automobiles will affect our surroundings. “Everyone is focused on the technology [itself],” Cohen says, “but as an architect, I need to focus on the implications to the built environment.”
And those implications are immense. Existing structures like gas stations may disappear, or will need to be reimagined to serve the electric future. Reduced congestion could give way to green spaces or pedestrian walkways as safety improvements eliminate the need for wide roads. Buildings will have to be designed for the constant flow of drop-offs and pickups.
Even something as fundamental as the idea of car ownership will be a factor. “What we’re seeing is the future is going to be all ride-sharing,” Cohen explains. “You’ll see a major shift from ownership of cars.” After all, why own a car at all if an affordable ride is always available on demand? Look no further than Cadillac’s newly unveiled BOOK initiative. It’s a luxury vehicle subscription service where, for a flat monthly fee of $1,500, members gain access to popular Cadillac vehicles without the commitment of leasing, financing or buying the car. Although the program is currently being rolled out in New York City, if successful, Cadillac plans to push it out to other U.S. cities, as well as abroad.
The push toward reduced ownership, coupled with the notion that driverless cars could run almost continuously with minimal downtime for charging, will free up space currently dedicated to parking—and it’s a lot of space: According to a 2012 M.I.T. study, there are about 500 million parking spots in the U.S. alone (and remember, the average parking space in America is 7.5 to 9 feet wide and 10 to 20 feet long).
Whatever the implications, for designers the future is already here. “This is the most game-changing moment I’ve seen in my career,” Cohen says. “We’re already designing the next generation of buildings that will have to accommodate [driverless cars].”
Available in: www.architecturaldigest.com/story/how-future-of-cars-will-redesign-our-cities. Accessed in: 11/16/2017.
