In the year 2042, when digital devices become cheaper and smaller and the internet becomes super fast, we may be able to embed sensors and actuators into any kind of material. Architecture materials are also one of the things that can be automated. And this will change building typologies and also how we, the users, interact with spaces.
This new way of construction is responsive to users’ needs. It can be built and adjusted by user gestures, so it would be very efficient and flexible in terms of land use. It can pop up in Central Park to function as a temporary shelter for homeless people. It can afford retail space to move around the city.
This diagram shows which parts of Manhattan going to adopt this new tech. I weigh each place’s category by scores. In a place such as a flood zone, spaces with flexible uses like parking, recreation, and open spaces would adopt this new technology first. Historic buildings and landmarks are likely to remain the same.