In the realm of possibility, the future is looking brighter, bolder, and a whole lot quirkier! Buckle up as I take you on a wild ride through 10 mind-boggling future scenarios that are so cool that they'll have you questioning if we're still in 2021!
1. Innercity Eco-Paradise
London 2121, by Alan Marshal, in The Conversation
In 2121, London's city heart is a sprawling eco-village, where dreary offices have been turned into cozy homes and grimy street corners have sprouted into lush gardens. Everyone's trading eco-friendly goods like it's the new Wall Street, and the children are getting free education from the wise old trees... I mean, elders.
Peep this link to check out more futuristic cities!
2. The Perfect Tech-Nature Balance
Imaginary ecosystem, by Daniel Clarke, in SolarPunk Magazine
In the world of solarpunk, technology is your friend, not your boss. They're all about using tech to save Mother Nature, rather than turning her into a sci-fi horror movie.
If you're planning your own scenarios, check out SolarPunk Magazine: your go-to for techno-future scenarios. Click SolarPunk Magazine and sign up for their newsletter if you fancy regular doses of future tech.
3. Life Among the Stars, but Not on a Planet
An O'Neill Colony, by Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin
Amazon's top dog, Jeff Bezos, has grand plans of setting up shop on the moon - permanently. He's channeling his inner G.K. O'Neill to create self-sustaining space environments that could be our next cosmic neighborhood.
Anyone know the property rates on the moon these days? 🤔
4. Cars that Suck
Inventor's Car, by Kawiphat Thonthaisong (Thailand / Age 7)
This kiddo designed a car that sucks up garbage and spits useful products. It's like a mobile recycling plant! And the best part? The recycled goodies will be donated to those who need them. For more inspiring cars, visit: in Toyota's Dream Car Competition
See how fun and inspiring it is to have kids think with you?
5. Woven City, Utopian Test Site
Woven City, by Toyota, in Susono City, Japan.
Toyota's cooking up a prototype city where they can test and perfect new ways of getting around. In Woven City, mobility is more than moving from A to B; it's about moving forward as a society.
Visit Woven-city.global for a video of the present-day Woven.
6. Workplace Wonderland
Workplace Utopia, by Gensler
Imagine a workplace where the bottom line isn't profit but purpose. Here, it's all about you and your mission and how we can all work together to achieve greatness.
Visit Gensler for an infographic that makes it all clear.
7. Coastal Cities
Oceanix City, by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)
Oceanix is a prototype of a coastal city, a resilient and sustainable solution for rising sea levels.
As a Dutch person living 4 meters below sea level, this is my kind of utopia!
8. The Future, Now in 3D!
TECLA, by Mario Cucinella & WASP, on parametrichouse.com
Fancy living in a house that you can print yourself? Made from reusable, biodegradable materials, these houses are comfy, affordable, and sturdy enough to withstand earthquakes.
Where do I sign up?
9. Breathable Buildings
Breathing Building, by Doris Kim Sung, in Materialdistrict
Roofs and facades are made from translucent bimetals that move in response to nature. They provide shadow and cool air when it's hot and keep the heat in when it's cold. If you'd do that in a city, its street temperature would fall by a couple of degrees (no heat exhaust from airconditioners anymore).
Quite the opposite from my house 😉
Find out how it works on Materialdistrict
10. It's What Your Car Can Do For You
Concept car, by Haval
Carmaker Haval has made a movie about its utopia, featuring a car that can drive itself, play games with the kids in the back seat, and do your groceries while you video-chat with your loved ones.
Watch Haval's utopia unfold on YouTube
DIY
I hope I've inspired you to think about your organization's future!
Related: A Creative Adventure: Lessons From Opera Singers for Foresight