In most science fiction films that depict futuristic visions and architecture, the portrayal of an individual’s daily routine in the future often resembles that of an individual of the present day but integrated with advanced technology and innovative concepts. These films frequently showcase clean, towering structures that seamlessly adapt to technological advancements, symbolizing the prosperous aspects of society. Conversely, they also depict less affluent areas characterized by unkempt conditions, resembling junkyards, yet still incorporating repairable technology, highlighting societal disparities.
Alita the Battle Angle, Ready Player One, and Kalki 2898AD are some sci-fi movies that depict the above. They all represent the future, which is a better version of today but the problems are not solved. Their scale has increased and new issues have risen due to the same.
The settler’s situation in Mumbai is a good example of this. In 1985, the settlers had a population of about four million, it increased to sixteen million people in 2009 and is expected to increase in the future as well. Migrant camps in urban areas, such as those near the Canal de l’Ourcq, demonstrate issues related to homelessness, lack of legal status, and inadequate social services. Street vendors in Bangkok face legal challenges and evictions as cities struggle with urban planning and regulation. More cities face such issues.
Therefore, what one must do to solve such problems that increase exponentially?
Looking back, looking forward
Charles Correa shared an interesting story in his book -A Place in the Shade.
He had written “In an expert from a Marathi journal, The author, traveling on a BEST bus, recognizes two people from his village who are sitting together on the same bench, side by side One is the village dhobi, the other is its money-lender. Naturally, they are not talking to each other and are both – staring straight ahead But there are no other seats available they must endure this proximity something that would be repugnant back in their village – I thought to myself. More than 2000 years ago Lord Buddha tried to abolish the caste system and in the last century, Mahatma Gandhi spent his whole life trying to banish untouchability. They both appear to have failed. Now here comes along a dumb old BEST bus, and without any political rhetoric and any polemics, it is changing India. That is what our cities are about. They are mechanisms for social engineering, much more powerful than anything we have ever seen before. They will transform this country.”
Hence the future of architecture lies in looking back at the past, Identifying mistakes, learning from them, and paving the path with current ideologies and predictions for a better tomorrow. Architects need to start looking at making or contributing towards policy-level changes. One’s Practice should not be restricted to designing an individual house or an office, it should be looked into as designing a module of the neighborhood or a city. Just like Daniel Libeskind said, one needs to articulate the history to have a more meaningful architecture. One can not build a future on a weak foundation.
Key to Future
A project called the KWIN Cities Program -The Knowledge, Wellbeing, and Innovation City was inaugurated recently to promote innovation and economic progress. Hailed as a “game-changer” for the state, KWIN City seeks to become a state-of-the-art center for innovation, health, research, and information. It is designed to create an ecosystem that will draw in talent from around the world and encourage ground-breaking discoveries in several industries. It has an advanced transport system that includes a central monorail that provides quick service and stops every 800 meters in addition to a carefully designed road network. Remarkably, more than ten interlinked lakes connected by canal systems and parks and open spaces occupy 40% of the city, combining urban convenience and scenic beauty. KWIN City is a model of sustainable living because of its well-thought-out architecture, which guarantees seamless connectivity and plenty of recreational areas.
The Smart Cities Mission, another development program in India, is a project that uses technology to improve urban infrastructure and service delivery with an emphasis on sustainable development and raising urban quality of life.
Brazil’s Participatory Budgeting program enables the public to actively engage in the budgeting process for local projects, enhancing accountability and guaranteeing that money is sent to areas that improve living circumstances.
The USA Community Development Block Grant Program is a federal program that gives local governments money to create livable urban neighborhoods by supplying appropriate housing, a comfortable environment, and more chances for employment.
By looking at these examples, one can understand that the future of architecture includes looking back, learning from experience, collaborating, integrating technology, sustainability, and inclusivity. An amalgamation of the above ideologies can result in a better future as well as an interesting representation in a sci-fi movie.
REFERENCES:
- Charles Correa. (2010). A place in the shade. New Delhi: Penguin India.
- KWIN city (2024). Karnataka CM launches ‘game-changer’ KWIN City – What is it and can it solve traffic woes of Bengaluru? [online]. (Last updated 27 September 2024). Available at:https://www.financialexpress.com/business/infrastructure-karnataka-cm-launches-game-changer-kwin-city-what-is-it-and-can-it-solve-traffic-woes-of-bengaluru-3623781/
IMAGES:
- 01_Alita,The battle angle_https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2019/02/04/alita-battle-angel-review-james-cameron-robert-rodriguez-rosa-salazar-mahershala-ali-fox/.
- 02_Ready Player one_https://www.god-of-games.de/artikel/ready-player-one,198544.html
- 03_Kalki_https://www.cinejosh.com/news/1/108865/date-locked-for-kalki-2898-ad-trailer.html
- 04_Mumbai squatters_https://nomadicmacs.com/dharavi-mumbai-slum-slumdog/
- 05_urban settelers_https://www.trtworld.com/europe/ngos-accuse-french-authorities-of-social-cleansing-over-migrant-evictions-18184882
- 06_Bangkok street_https://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/clg/living/community/street-food-vendors-are-thailands-economic-lifeblood/
- 07_KWIN city_https://www.financialexpress.com/business/infrastructure-karnataka-cm-launches-game-changer-kwin-city-what-is-it-and-can-it-solve-traffic-woes-of-bengaluru-3623781/
