2030, A Prediction

Posted: January 15th, 2010 ˑ Filled under: Aerial, Infrastructure ˑ  2 Comments

In the not too distant future your standard grade run-of-the mill highway will no longer be necessary, when the speculative “affordable mass teleportation system” is finally conceived, and renders the Trekkie vision as fact instead of fantasy. Think about it: what a wonderful playground cities (and designers) will have to explore – mile upon mile of linear urban corridors suddenly liberated from engine grease, speed limits and moving projectiles.

2030 – 2050 – 2100: it really doesn’t matter. These non-places, as coined by Marc Augé, in his fascinating book about the spaces of transition in modern cities, will eventually be the next frontier in urban design. With some luck I’ll be around when that happens.

San Francisco highway spaghetti junction

  • Simon

    How great that would be, lets hope it happens. Unfortunately a great deal will have to change first. The current thought process (especially in Texas) seems to be, “the roads are congested – lets build bigger roads!” If only more public transport would be considered – subways, light rail, transport pods whatever, I would just love the option to leave my car at home for a change.

    Great photo as always, the colours, curves and subject matter remind me of Dante's Inferno, are congested highways the 10th circle of hell?

  • http://www.f-stopped.com/ Eddy Joaquim

    Indeed – it's going to be a while, and petroleum still has plenty of life left in it in terms of predicted reserves. Having said that, it is a finite resource and will inevitable end. I can't wait to see what happens to all those amazing overpasses dotted all over the world!