New Century Cities - Digital Lifestyle Defined

As we communicated last week, trying to get a consensus on what exactly a "New Century City” is can prove a very difficult task. The most consistent response is a city (or building, for that matter) where real estate and technology intersect to provide a new way of doing things. A basic example of this would be a smaller library with significantly less books being replaced by computer terminals and interactive signage, accessing the world of information available on the Internet. In essence, the advancement of technology and the subsequent impact on our lives will force us to rethink the best uses for our Commercial Real Estate. Another example: on a very basic level, RFID will force us to rethink the space allocated for customer checkout at retail facilities, especially grocery stores.

So, where do you start? The concept of trying to understand how cities will change as a result of this digital emergence is a daunting task. Just imagine how difficult it would have been for the city planners of farming communities to even imagine, let alone plan for the changes brought about by the manufacturing processes that helped define the industrial revolution. Based on this premise, we could see an abundant amount of Commercial Real Estate needing to be redefined in the context of a New Century City.

The following represent just a few of the ideas and concepts presented at last week’s New Century Symposium at MIT:

Philadelphia
- Wireless network throughout the city, making it very easy for anyone to access the Internet
- A school computer program bringing the Internet to even the most economically disadvantaged

New York City
- A wireless infrastructure above the city providing for robust communications redundancy
- "Ride New York", a new digital, mobile production that takes theater to a new interactive level

Singapore
- One North, a project looking to provide advanced infrastructure, as well as attracting like thinking tenants
- Suntec City, office infrastructure serving small through large tenants with comprehensive digital tools

Seoul
- Digital Media City, a combination of Silicon Valley and Hollywood, creating a new century media city
- A digital lifestyle infrastructure which will provide 20 MBPS to every home, office, school, store, etc.

Copenhagen
- Crossroads Copenhagen -- where culture, media and communication technology will define new cities
- Exploring and defining new concepts in virtual concierge, mobile gaming and advanced applications

Helsinki
- Arabianranta is looking to become the leading center of art and design in the Baltic Area
- With over 10,000 residents, 8,000 jobs and 6,000 students a 7/24/365 vibrant community will emerge

Bristol
- Using CitySpace, citizens will have live access to transportation info from kiosks and mobile devices
- The UK's first "Hospitality HotZone", provides free Internet access to almost 100 bars, cafes, pubs, etc

These represent just a brief summary of the ideas and concepts being presented by this visionary group of city planners and developers. The following are just a few of the technical applications that were also discussed:

- Street lights connected to the Internet, change colors, managed remotely, could include cameras
- Vehicle management systems that automatically charge for tolls, parking, etc. -- no booths, meters
- RFID tagging systems in all retail outlets, redefining the shopping experience
- Integrated, complex digital signage networks providing for marketing and emergency communications
- Advanced movie theaters that also act as school classrooms, gaming centers, etc., 24 hour use
- Commercial spaces that provide for nextgen experiences through the use of advanced technology

The most exciting aspect of this event was not just the details of each of these extraordinary projects, but rather the fact that the conversation of "what’s next" were being had at all. A few years ago, you would have been hard pressed to locate even one project with such bold new visions. To have such a large number of mega projects represented, and not projects simply on the drawing boards but actually under-construction, is a sure sign that we are moving into a new paradigm. There is no longer any doubt that the intersection of real estate and technology will produce a new kind of place that is in line with a 21st century digital lifestyle. The question is no longer if, but rather when. Based on the conversations last week, when is now. One can only imagine the enthusiasm and excitement of those visionaries who knew that the industrial revolution was upon them and would forever change their lives.

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