When one of the world鈥檚 first cities Catal Huyuk鈥痺as built from plaster in 7,000 BC, I don鈥檛 think the people who built it would have envisaged quite how many houses and buildings would be standing today.
As of last year, 2.3 billion houses have been built. And on top of that we鈥檝e got the airports, skyscrapers and industrial sites.听 听
As more houses are built to accommodate our growing population, and towns become cities, places have expanded. I鈥檓 sure you鈥檝e seen it yourself first-hand.听听
David Attenborough said: 鈥淓very 10 years an area the size of Britain disappears under a jungle of concrete.鈥 There are new properties and developments popping up everywhere. These images show the extent towns have expanded since the 50s and 60s.
While many worry about the future of our countryside, it could be argued that the development of our towns into cities has had a positive impact for creativity. Whether you鈥檙e an architect, a journalist, or a chef, creatives take inspiration from what they see. 听
Having more visuals and taking in what鈥檚 around us is hugely important. It’s a big part of many creative processes. With more cities, there is an ever-growing treasure trove of inspiration out there to discover.听
Australian architect said: 鈥淲e do not create the work. I believe we, in fact, are discoverers.鈥 People are like sponges; discovering and absorbing everything around us. We then translate those thoughts and ideas from what we鈥檝e discovered into our own work.听
Just one example is . Architecture is still heavily influenced by him, and even after his death in 1926, his work inspires many.听听
Gaudi is known for being a master of symbolism. Imagine the amount of people that wouldn鈥檛 have been inspired by his architecture if those places weren鈥檛 built. Inspired by Gaudi鈥檚 buildings in Barcelona, recently designed Torre Agbar 鈥 a magnificent structure you can鈥檛 miss. 听
Torre Agbar designed by Jean Nouvel
The future will include new mega cities. Many countries already have plans in place to build them. Just shy of Singapore鈥檚 north-western tip, Malaysia鈥檚 Forest City has been designed to house 700,000 people, covering 14 square kilometres 鈥 an area four times the size of New York鈥檚 Central Park. Due for completion in 2035, it aims to create 220,000 jobs.
A major worry is how sustainable these developments are. But this development has that at it鈥檚 heart. Malaysia鈥檚 Forest City, labelled a smart city, will have no cars and the eco-skyscrapers are set to be covered in plants to reduce noise and air pollution. A city unlike any other. Full of emerging ideas and visuals different to your ordinary city. 听
Similar to Forest City, a development near Liuzhou in China will feature spaces and buildings covered in plants and trees. Creating the potential for a city of wildlife.
Malaysia鈥檚 Forest City development
Many see urbanisation and developments of mega cities as a problem, but could it be a positive for creatives who thrive off new ideas. As beautiful as the countryside and rural areas are, cities are important for their hidden gems of inspiration. Large gems if we鈥檙e talking about Gaudi.听听
Explore our Cities and Landmarks collection to see more.