Urbanie & Urbanus
Issue 2025 Jan
Counter-Urbanization
Issue 11, P. - P.
Abstract
The 4th Industrial Revolution characterized by the merging of info-tech and bio-tech will overturn existing modes of living and production, creating new spatial opportunities. The recent movement of counter-urbanization can be understood as urbanites taking advantage of info-tech and flexible working to explore new and more comfortable life. The 4th Industrial Revolution characterized by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) can offer technical supports for making urban life more human-centred. To explore the connection between technology and urban planning and design practice, a more humble and inclusive understanding of the term “human-centred” is provided, stressing humans’ deep connections with other species in the web of life. Meanwhile, three fundamental trends of the 4th Industrial Revolution are discussed; they are: job automation, new economy and industry, and flexible working. Following these trends and the new conception of “human-centred”, three principles are proposed for the planning and design of future cities: 1) Interwoven nature, which emphasizes a tight integration and harmonious co-existence of the built and natural environment; 2) Attraction-driven, which stresses the value of natural and cultural sites at non-central locations; 3) Dispersion, which encourages a decentralization and more equitable allocation of urban resources.