During the series of lockdowns in various cities across the globe, more people have become increasingly dependent on home delivery systems and online commerce, in general. It’s a safer, faster, and more convenient way to access goods and services in urban areas. The businesses themselves are working hard to make sure that systems and processes become even more seamless. More companies, organizations, and even countries are investing heavily in IT because their infrastructure needs to be able to support increasing demand.
The age of digitalization ushers in an era where humans experience a drastic reduction in physical, person-to-person interaction. I think that many of these new ways of living will be sustained even after COVID as we enter what we may call a touchless economy or a touchless lifestyle. This shift presents various opportunities for more people: greater convenience and efficiency, more flexibility, and a wider range of choices in many areas of our lives.
Even before COVID-19 happened, online apps and eCommerce were already there. It just became almost mandatory to use these because of the restrictions in movement brought about by the pandemic. These developments in commerce are definitely bringing more changes in the property sector.
Life in the urban centers of the future will definitely feature more options for convenience and accessibility than before, as goods and services are delivered to our doorsteps and as we demand more and more that our own homes be enjoyable spaces to enjoy leisure time. When the pandemic eventually comes to an end, life will be restored to shopping areas and restaurants—but our on-demand, door-to-door shopping, and dining habits will continue.
Many architects believe that the cities will not reshape themselves in, say, five years. They will only become more livable because of less traffic and less movement since most meetings and gatherings are going to be done remotely. The way we work is becoming more flexible, too, since we enjoy more options and benefits—for example, we save time and money whenever we choose to meet online.
The home itself is no longer just a home. It has transformed into a boardroom, personal workspace, meeting lounge, and so on—all because we’ve all embraced the work-from-home culture. As we can see, the way we use our spaces is shifting—but I believe the changes will not be surprising. Our cities and their residents are adapting to new conditions and, in the process, creating developments that can ultimately make life better for all.