The city of the future – how is a resilient city planned and built?
Climate change, demographic shifts and the transformation of work are reshaping how cities function and how they are structured.
Today, urban planning starts from the need to build a resilient city that can withstand extreme events and adapt to societal change.
A sustainable city is not created through isolated solutions, but through a holistic approach where nature, mobility, diverse population groups and the existing buildings are integrated from the very beginning of the planning process.
What does a resilient city mean?
A resilient city refers to an urban environment that is able to:
- withstand extreme weather events as effectively as possible
- adapt to changes in population structure
- maintain its vitality during crises
- adjust to new ways of working and moving
“Urban planning is closely connected to these phenomena,” says Jenni Lautso, Division director, Architecture, Landscape and Land Use. One of the most visible changes in cities is linked to the transformation of work.
The rise of remote work has permanently changed the role of city centres, demand for office space and how people move, as work is no longer tied to a single location five days a week.
According to Lautso, this requires high-quality environments, good accessibility and flexible spatial solutions. A resilient city is therefore not only about preparing for climate extremes, but also about the ability to adapt to economic and social change.
Landscape architecture at the heart of the urban environment
Landscape architecture is a key element in building a resilient city. According to Head of Landscape Architecture, Tiina Perälä, understanding natural processes
has become central to design.
“Previously, urban nature was often heavily modified to meet human needs. Today, the goal is to align construction with nature,” she says.
This is reflected, for example, in:
- stormwater retention and infiltration
- preserving existing vegetation
- prioritising permeable surfaces
Landscape design in urban environments should be included already at the early stages of a project. If green infrastructure is planned only after zoning, there is often not enough space. In such cases, solutions easily remain technical add-ons and fail to support holistic sustainability.
Climate change is transforming the design of outdoor spaces
The impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly visible in everydayplanning solutions. One clear example is how we relate the sun and shade.
Sweco’s experts note that while maximising sunlight used to be the goal, shading is now increasingly important, especially in the design of schools, daycare centres and public spaces. The cooling effect of trees is seen as a vital part of a functional and safe urban environment.
Mobility defines the city of the future
Transport planning
is a key component of sustainable urban development. “Structural solutions can make walking, cycling and public transport the most attractive options,” says Lautso. “At the same time, population ageing adds a new dimension to accessibility. The city of the future must work for everyone – including those for whom long walking distances are not possible.”
A resilient city is therefore built on balance: different modes of mobility are integrated so that everyday life runs smoothly for as many people as possible.
The existing building stock as part of the solution
The city of the future will not be built solely through new construction. A large share of the building stock already exists, and making use of it is a key sustainability consideration. Lautso and Perälä points out that adapting and
renovating buildings can be significantly more climate-friendly than demolition and new construction. At the same time, it helps preserve urban identity and reduce material consumption.
Sweco – a planning and construction partner for the cities of the future
We offer comprehensive urban planning services covering the entire lifecycle of urban development, from strategic planning to implementation.
Our urban planning services include, among others:
- strategic urban development and planning
- zoning and land-use planning
- architectural design and buildings
- landscape architecture and green infrastructure development
- water management
- biodiversity and environmental impact assessment
- transport planning and sustainable mobility solutions
- renovation and refurbishment
- carbon footprint calculation and climate impact assessment
By combining these areas of expertise, Sweco supports cities, public-sector organisations and private developers in creating sustainable urban environments for the future.
Would you like to discuss solutions for a resilient city?