Cities of the Future … exploring how the megatrends will shape new urban development, from Amsterdam and Astana to Shenzhen and Songdo … inclusive and intelligent, human and regenerative

August 10, 2025

The next decade will be defined not by incremental progress but by seismic shifts in how the world works. Megatrends aren’t background noise; they’re the blueprint for what’s next. From AI to aging populations, climate collapse to geopolitical fracture, companies that thrive will be those that reinvent themselves in response to the tectonic forces reshaping society.

These are the “megatrends”, the dramatic forces shaping industries and economies, societies and lives.

In my new Megatrends 2035 report I focus on these super-pathways to the future, and how they are disrupting, shaping and reinventing every industry. There are 6 megatrends:

Exponential Intelligence … by 2035, tech convergence will have dramatic impacts – AI, blockchain, genomics, robotics, and energy storage could together drive over $200 trillion in new market value.
Generational Remix … by 2035, one in six people worldwide will be aged 60 or over, rising to nearly 1.5 billion by 2035, over-65s are growing twice as fast as the under-18s.
Asian Century … by 2035 emerging Asia will contribute about two-thirds of global growth, China and India will together exceed $78 trillion GDP – larger than the US and Europe combined.
Regenerative Systems … only 6.9% of materials are reused globally, by 2035 the share of regenerated or recycled inputs in global supply chains is forecast to quadruple.
Multipolar World … by 2035 regional supply-chain investment will triple as companies localise production, while cross-regional trade could shrink by up to 70%.
Humanity Rising … by 2035, tech and green transitions will create with 170 million new roles – mostly in people-centred sectors; purpose-driven companies show 30% higher productivity and growth.

Each of these shifts will also profoundly impact the development of cities of the future … why they exist, how they are designed, who lives there, how they are built, what they do, and how we live in them.

Megatrends and the Future of Cities

Across the globe, governments, developers, and planners are attempting the audacious: to build cities for the next century — not just functional, but intelligent, sustainable, inclusive, and resilient.

By 2035, urban landscapes will be:

Intelligent: Real-time responsive infrastructure, autonomous transport, and predictive services.
Inclusive: Serving multiple generations, cultures, and lifestyles with equity and accessibility.
Regenerative: Low-carbon, circular, and restorative to ecosystems.
Globally Connected: Interlinked trade, technology, and talent networks, yet locally resilient.
Human-Centred: Prioritising well-being, creativity, participation, and culture.

The boundary between technology and life will blur; cities will no longer simply house people, but amplify human potential. They will be ecosystems, laboratories, and communities rolled into one.

From the ambitious King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) in Saudi Arabia to Woven City in Japan, from the digital-first Songdo in South Korea to the historic yet adaptive streets of Barcelona, urban life is being reimagined.

Megatrend 1: Exponential Intelligence … Cities at the Speed of Thought

The fusion of artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain, and smart infrastructure is creating urban environments capable of responding in real time. Exponential Intelligence is not merely a technological advantage; it is a transformational framework for planning, living, and governing cities.

In Songdo, a master-planned smart city in South Korea, sensors monitor traffic, waste, energy use, and public safety, creating a city that knows itself intimately. Woven City, Toyota’s experimental city in Japan, is designed from the ground up as a living laboratory for autonomous mobility, robotics, and sustainable energy systems. And in KAEC, smart grids and intelligent logistics corridors aim to combine efficiency with economic growth.

Opportunities:

Predictive Infrastructure: AI can anticipate traffic congestion, energy peaks, and water demands, enabling cities to operate more efficiently.
Dynamic Services: Autonomous vehicles, drone delivery, and real-time public transport adjustments respond to citizen behaviour and needs.
Innovation Ecosystems: Technology districts and incubators become the lifeblood of urban economies, attracting global talent and capital.

Challenges:

The risk of technological obsolescence requires cities to adopt modular, upgradeable systems.
Data privacy and cybersecurity are critical; a city that collects real-time information must also protect it.
High upfront investment can strain budgets, demanding long-term strategic vision and partnerships.

By 2035, every successful city will be part machine, part human, harnessing technology to amplify human potential while reducing inefficiency and waste.

Megatrend 2: Generational Remix … Cities for Every Age and Culture

The global population is ageing even as urbanisation continues at pace. By 2035, the over-65 population will outnumber children under 18 in many countries, and urban residents will increasingly demand inclusive, adaptable, and culturally sensitive environments.

Cities like Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Barcelona are already rethinking urban mobility, housing, and public spaces to accommodate older populations, while simultaneously catering to vibrant young communities. Multi-generational design — accessible transport, mixed-use housing, intergenerational recreation — is no longer a luxury; it is essential.

Opportunities:

Inclusive Design: Walkable streets, flexible public spaces, and universal access make cities functional for all ages.
Cultural Diversity: Urban planners can embrace multiculturalism, integrating food, festivals, and public spaces that celebrate difference.
Adaptable Infrastructure: Buildings, transport, and public spaces must evolve as demographics shift, from families to retirees to solo urban professionals.

Challenges:

Competing demands between older residents seeking stability and younger, mobile populations seeking dynamism.
The need for lifelong learning infrastructure, from libraries to digital hubs, that supports an ever-changing skillset.

Cities that succeed will be those that design for longevity and adaptability, balancing continuity with constant evolution. Navi Mumbai, India’s fast-growing urban development, illustrates the potential: it seeks to accommodate a diverse population with a mix of affordable housing, commercial districts, and transport links that anticipate decades of growth.

Megatrend 3: Asian Century … Economic Power Shifting East

The twenty-first century is witnessing a dramatic shift in economic gravity towards Asia. Cities in China, India, and Southeast Asia are not merely growing; they are innovating, exporting, and redefining urban life.

Shenzhen, once a small fishing village, now thrives as a high-tech manufacturing and innovation hub. In India, Navi Mumbai is designed as a planned city to accommodate the country’s surging urban population while linking to Mumbai’s financial and commercial sectors. Trade corridors, global connectivity, and technology clusters position these cities at the heart of the next global economy.

Opportunities:

Global Investment Hubs: By 2035, cities can attract foreign capital by combining infrastructure with regulatory and lifestyle incentives.
Talent Magnet: Education, innovation districts, and cultural vibrancy draw skilled workers from across the region and world.
Trade Gateways: Ports, airports, and logistics hubs convert geographic location into economic advantage.

Challenges:

Intense competition for talent, capital, and innovation between regional hubs.
Regulatory and policy volatility can affect investment confidence.

Cities that integrate global outlooks with local culture and governance will thrive. Singapore exemplifies this: decades of strategic urban planning, efficient governance, and technology adoption make it one of the most resilient and attractive cities in the world.

Megatrend 4: Regenerative Systems … Cities That Restore

Sustainability has evolved from a buzzword into an existential imperative. New cities must embrace regenerative systems, where energy, water, and waste cycles restore rather than deplete ecosystems.

Masdar City in the UAE has pioneered this approach with net-zero energy buildings, renewable power, and car-free districts. KAEC integrates green corridors, low-carbon construction, and sustainable logistics. Even in established cities, Copenhagen and Amsterdam are demonstrating how urban planning can combine density, mobility, and green spaces to reduce carbon footprints.

Opportunities:

Circular Infrastructure: Water recycling, renewable energy, and waste-to-resource systems.
Biodiversity in Cities: Parks, green roofs, and urban forests enhance resilience and citizen well-being.
Health and Happiness: Cleaner air, walkable streets, and access to nature improve quality of life.

Challenges:

High initial costs of sustainable infrastructure.
Integration of traditional building practices with modern regenerative systems.
Balancing density and green space in rapidly growing urban areas.

The cities that prioritise regenerative thinking will not only survive environmental shocks but attract residents and businesses that value sustainable living. Barcelona, with its commitment to green urbanism and energy efficiency, exemplifies how older cities can retrofit sustainability into historic fabric.

Megatrend 5: Multipolar World … Resilient and Adaptive Cities

The world is shifting from a unipolar order to a multipolar, fragmented system. Trade tensions, geopolitical volatility, and regional power shifts demand that cities become resilient, adaptable, and less dependent on distant markets.

Opportunities:

Local Self-Sufficiency: Cities can generate energy, produce food, and recycle materials to reduce exposure to global shocks.
Regional Hubs: By aligning with multiple economic blocs, cities can maintain trade, investment, and talent flows.
Economic Diversification: Beyond a single industry or export, cities develop a multi-layered economy.

Challenges:

Vulnerability to sanctions, tariffs, and political instability.
Rapid shifts in global investment flows require adaptable strategies.

Dubai demonstrates the potential: once reliant on oil, it has diversified into finance, tourism, and trade. Its resilience is reflected in infrastructure capable of supporting business continuity, tourism, and innovation simultaneously. Cities that embrace modular growth, decentralised systems, and diversified economies will be better equipped to navigate geopolitical uncertainty.

Megatrend 6: Humanity Rising … Cities for People, Not Just Machines

Perhaps the most profound transformation is the human-centred renaissance. People want cities that foster well-being, purpose, connection, and creativity.

Opportunities:

Livable Neighbourhoods: Walkable streets, parks, cultural spaces, and sports facilities enhance quality of life.
Participatory Planning: Residents co-create urban services and spaces through digital platforms and community forums.
Purposeful Cities: Cities can cultivate identity, culture, and meaning — not just efficiency.

Challenges:

Balancing economic growth with human needs.
Preventing social inequality and urban exclusion.

Singapore, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam illustrate how human-centred urban design enhances resilience and prosperity. From abundant green spaces to cycling infrastructure and civic participation, these cities show that quality of life is inseparable from urban success.

Global Lessons from Emerging and Established Cities

A comparison of new and established cities highlights the interplay of megatrends:

Songdo, South Korea: Entirely sensor-driven, smart-grid city; efficiency is maximised but human adoption and culture remain challenges.
Woven City, Japan: Living laboratory for robotics, autonomous vehicles, and AI; human-centred experimentation from day one.
Masdar City, UAE: Net-zero ambitions and renewable focus; lessons in scaling regenerative systems.
KAEC, Saudi Arabia: Integration of trade, industry, and livable urban design; poised to capture economic growth in the region.
Navi Mumbai, India: Planned for population growth; balancing rapid expansion with sustainability.
Shenzhen, China: Innovation, global trade, and economic dynamism; demonstrates the power of regional policy and investment.
Singapore: Long-term planning, global connectivity, technology adoption; a model for efficiency, inclusion, and resilience.
Amsterdam and Copenhagen: Established cities retrofitting sustainability, mobility, and inclusivity; human experience at the centre.
Barcelona: Cultural vibrancy combined with green urbanism; blending history with regenerative modernity.
Dubai: Rapid diversification, multipolar adaptability, and infrastructure resilience; thriving in a volatile world.

The overarching lesson: cities that integrate technology, sustainability, human-centred design, and global-local agility will thrive.

Strategic Agenda for Cities of 2035

So what matters most, for city developers with a “megatrend” mindset, seeking to vision into reality, but also to future proof their ideas, so that they will thrive in the changing world?

Embed Intelligence: Smart infrastructure, predictive analytics, and AI integration should be foundational.
Design for Diversity: Mixed-use neighbourhoods, intergenerational amenities, and cultural inclusivity must be central.
Adopt Regenerative Systems: Energy, water, and waste cycles should be circular, restorative, and climate-positive.
Balance Global-Local Connectivity: Attract talent, investment, and trade while maintaining local resilience.
Prioritise Well-being: Parks, cultural hubs, and civic participation enhance human experience.
Plan for Resilience: Modular infrastructure, economic diversification, and risk-aware strategies ensure longevity.

By integrating these principles, cities can become living systems, capable of adapting to demographic, technological, environmental, and geopolitical shifts.

Vision to Reality

Neom is a tale of ambition and caution. The city was launched as a bold vision for a futuristic, $500 billion‑plus megacity on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast — featuring “The Line” — a 170‑km linear city, smart infrastructure, renewable energy, and a global innovation hub. The scale of ambition drew global attention.

However, reality is proving far harder than the dream. The project, according to the FT, is now under a “comprehensive review” amid budget pressures and falling oil revenue, with several components being scaled back. The ultra‑ambitious plans for The Line have been pared down significantly. Leadership changes and cost overruns flag the fact that vision alone no longer suffices; execution is proving the toughest challenge.

The challenge of building future cities is immense, yet the opportunity is unparalleled. Each new development — whether KAEC, Masdar, Woven City, or Navi Mumbai — is an experiment in combining intelligence, sustainability, inclusivity, and humanity. Established cities like Singapore, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Barcelona show that adaptation and reinvention are possible even with deep historical roots.

The cities that succeed will not only move people and goods efficiently, but also connect hearts, minds, and aspirations. They will foster innovation, purpose, and collective progress, creating urban life that is economically vibrant, environmentally regenerative, socially inclusive, and humanly inspiring.

By 2035, cities will be more than settlements: they will be manifestations of the future we choose to create, shaped by foresight, imagination, and the courage to design life at scale.

More from the blog