Believe it
or not, but cities are still a relatively new system of living for the human
race. Just 200 years ago, only around 3% of the entire population of the world
lived in cities with the vast majority living in rural areas.
Today, more
than half of the population of the world live in a city of some sort! Over the
years, cities have become more populace as there are more opportunities for
work and entertainment - this ballooning in the population in cities across the
globe shows just how much they matter
to society.
The first
cities known in human history were located in Mesopotamia, China and the Indus
Valley and began appearing as far back 9000 years ago following the Neolithic
Revolution and the domestication of farm animals. These early cities - some of
which had populations of around 50,000 - helped to provide surplus food for the
population which then provided the opportunity for other skills to develop and
for economies to form. By bringing people from the region together - along with
their skills - cultures could develop which would push forward further
development and would eventually lead to the rise of civilisations. Without
cities, civilisations simply cannot thrive.
Although
huge structures, like Ziggurats
, were a development of this period,
there aren’t many practical solutions to city population found in the
architecture of this period. However, in the following thousands of years - and
especially in the last century or so - a number of architectural developments
have occurred which mean that populations have exploded. This population growth
has led to many pressures on the functions of the city but has also facilitated
the continued progression of science, culture and business.
Skyscrapers
Skyscraper
buildings are absolutely pivotal in the development of city architecture and
the continued explosion of city populations. Building vertically means that far
less ground space can be used and more people can fit into a smaller area of
the city. Particularly in American cities like Chicago and New York, the
architectural development of skyscrapers meant that commercial enterprises
could flourish by fitting their workers into a smaller space.
When
skyscraper design was used for domestic purposes as well as commercial, this
also allowed those commercial properties to be filled with a more substantial
workforce and also provided cheaper accommodation for the working classes and
the incoming migrants. The very first skyscrapers began appearing across cities
in the late 19th century and early 20th century and continued to get taller and
taller as steel became mass-produced.
The Importance of Lift Shafts
With the development
of taller buildings and the continued growth of skyscrapers, lifts have also
proven to be an essential development for architecture. Especially with
skyscrapers which now reach thousands of feet into the air, it’s even more
imperative that goods and people can both be transported up and down the
building quickly and effectively.
For large
offices and hotels, it’s vital that customers and clients are not forced to
walk up hundreds of stairs but also that goods, equipment and deliveries can
get to where they need to be with ease.
Vertical Agriculture
Vertical
agriculture is a concept we’re likely to see more widespread in the future but
could be a development which helps to solve many of the issues posed by growing
populations in cities. These revolutionary structures may soon be able to help
replace more traditional farms and bring urban communities closer to the source
of their food. Reconnecting cities with food and nature will help to create a
far more healthy society, democratise the food system, help poorer communities
to grow their own food and save money, improve the air quality in cities and
reduce the likelihood of damaging floodwaters encroaching on urban areas.
By creating
cities in which living quarters coincide with agriculture, we can create a far
more vibrant city, but more importantly, provide all of the food needed and
help to reduce the carbon footprint of cities too.
Urban Gardens
Although
vertical farms are a new and forthcoming phenomenon, urban gardens have been a
feature of cities for generations. The significance of urban gardens has come
and gone over time. In Ancient Mesopotamia, there is plenty of evidence that
the citadels of cities within this civilisation included huge gardens with
winding irrigations systems - even if the fabled ‘Hanging Gardens of Babylon’
was never found. In more modern times, urban allotments and other gardening
facilities within a city can be considered an ‘urban garden’ which help to
improve the air quality and provide splashes of colour to the area.
Repurposing Buildings
With the
rapid rise of cities over the centuries, there are undoubtedly some
architectural skeletons which have been left behind and become a blight on the
skylines. Fortunately, a number of these buildings in cities all across the world
are now being refurbished and repurposed to make the best use of the buildings
and space available by property developers and entrepreneurs. Redevelopment is
cost-effective for developers and makes use of the buildings that would
otherwise simply be destroyed.
Structural Glass
Structural
glass is an architectural development which has lead to the rise of buildings
like The Shard in London and many other beautiful pieces of architecture. This
development means that buildings no longer need to rely on huge slabs of
concrete for their structural integrity and even skyscrapers can be shining
beacons of artistic beauty. Architectural glass is strengthened to ensure that
the buildings they are made of remain standing whilst also giving architects
the ability to flex their artistic muscles.
Eco-Friendly Cities
With
environmental disasters on the news on a daily basis in the modern era, more
pressure is placed on town and city planners to ensure that buildings and
communities are built with the environment firmly in mind. Urban planning in
the future will place this at the heart of everything, with projects currently
underway which feature renewable energy, sustainable public transport and
plenty of green space at the centre of the plans. By planning towns and cities
with cycle routes in mind and sustainable construction practices, the areas of
the world that have been at the forefront of the climate crisis can now turn
into beacons of the environment.
‘Smart’ Cities
Another
burgeoning development, ‘smart’ cities utilise the internet of things to
collect data and use technology to create urban areas which interact and make
life easier for the inhabitants. The concept of these communities integrates
architecture with information and communication technology. For example,
integrating artificial intelligence with road infrastructure and
telecommunications will learn and adapt to people’s habits and create a more
synchronised society.
ADL Lift Services: A Leading Lift Company in
Scotland
Here at ADL
Lift Services, we’re experts when it comes to the installation, design, repair
and servicing of lifts for commercial buildings. We have a combined eight
decades worth of experience in the industry and can provide our services all
across the UK via our significant network or staff.
We provide
24-hour emergency life services every day of the year and all of our staff have
the knowledge, expertise and professionalism to help you regardless of your
requirements. Our systems allow us to access all of our customer’s information
in the blink of an eye so we can see your service history and ensure we’re
providing you with the best services possible.
We’re a
fully certified company so you can rest assured that we will always conduct our
work in a safe, efficient and effective manner. If you’re looking for help with
your lifts, look no further.
To find out
more, please feel free to contact us today. You can find us at our head office
at 29 Albert Street, Motherwell, ML1 1PR, call us on 01698 277 009 or email us
at info@adlliftservices.com.
