The future cities of North America are not about brand-new urban creations, but rather about new centers of interest for healthy living aimed at achieving the American Dream, the pursuit of happiness.
The train station in Philadelphia opened in 1933 with the purpose of connecting the city to the other major metropolitan centers of the East Coast during the 1930s, reducing distances across the American continent. This station can symbolize unity through innovation toward a more sustainable and prosperous future. The future cities mentioned will be evaluated from this perspective, to understand which ones are relevant right now.
Montreal, with its classical architecture, stands as a crown jewel among North American cities. In the future, it is likely to attract a younger population looking for work and to build new foundations in various aspects of life. On the other side of Canada’s coasts, Vancouver has already evolved into a city known for quality living, harmoniously combining work and cosmopolitanism beneath the lush mountains of British Columbia. It is worth noting that Vancouver is also one of the most expensive cities to live in.
On the U.S. side, I can highlight three cities that, since the 1950s and even earlier in some cases, have been among the wealthiest cities in America. The first three worth mentioning are Seattle, San Francisco, and Chicago. In these cities, the market is so diversified that one might say it reflects the broad base, the psyche, and the diversity of personalities living there. Traditional and modern perspectives coexist in the present, offering hopeful signs for the future which is already taking shape.
American society is ready for this change, this new focus on the citizen’s quality of life. A major factor contributing to this is the ease of transportation across the continent and the possibility of achieving professional and entrepreneurial goals.
Then, Houston, Atlanta, and Miami are rebranding themselves into the new age of the internet economy and conservative ecosystem. It is no coincidence that in these cities, globally recognized stores and corporate structures are being created, including those centered around cryptocurrencies and alternative markets. I would say that currently, Houston, Atlanta and Miami are leading the luxury housing market in the United States.
Finally, there are two surprising cities that, despite their lower profile, show signs of emerging construction activity aimed at achieving the goals mentioned above. One of these cities is Alexandria, Virginia and the other is Mexico City. Both present tremendous potential for calm, measured growth, away from chaotic urban sprawl and vast residential zones. Each, for its own reasons, is striving to preserve its general characteristics while developing a sustainable growth model with an emphasis on protecting nature.