One of the major trends to emerge from the pandemic was decentralization.
Stuck working from home, often in cramped apartments in the city, many people yearned for the openness and space of regional areas. For example in Spain, rural municipalities grew by over 20 percent in 2020, echoing trends seen across the world. Since then, the trends have reversed to a certain extent, but there is also a growing emphasis on building sustainable population centers and communities outside of main metropolitan areas.
All communities, however, face challenges in terms of resources, employment, traffic and transport, and sustainability, especially those outside main metro areas. Thankfully, technology and prior planning can help surmount some of the challenges involved in building a sustainable township.
High-speed internet connectivity
While some sectors have pushed back against their employees working from home, many have embraced it—or at least, embrace a mixed model.
Regional areas are especially strengthened by telecommuting since it allows employment and wealth to be generated without the corresponding commercial investment. However, none of this works without a stable, high-speed internet connection. This also goes for small local retail and commercial businesses who wish to compete online.
Co-working spaces
The image of co-working spaces was hit hard by the implosion of WeWork, but the core advantages still remain. Without shelling out years of rent in advance, small startups and businesses have the ability to work in an inclusive environment and foster creativity through collaboration.
Community engagement platforms
Online platforms and social media can help engage communities, stimulate discussions, and spread information. Smaller communities can be incredibly agile in the way they respond to opportunities and challenges when provided with timely information. Nextdoor, for example, is a neighborhood-focused social network connecting residents with local information and alerts.
Smart waste management
Waste collection schedules may be optimized with IoT (Internet of things) connected garbage bins, lowering costs and environmental effects. These can also take into consideration traffic density and recycling initiatives.
Some community spaces also provide composting services for food scraps, meaning that food waste can be converted into rich soil for further growth. In Barcelona, for instance, subterranean waste containers alert collection trucks when they need to be emptied.
Technology in transport plays a crucial role in community development.
Smart security systems
Advanced security technologies, such as CCTV cameras, motion sensors, and facial recognition technology, does not only improve safety, but also help resolve disputes. Tracking of crime incidents can likewise pinpoint times and locations that require further surveillance. The City of London for example employs a massive network of surveillance cameras to monitor and respond to security threats as soon as possible.
Energy-saving lighting
Sensor-controlled LED street lighting can help reduce energy usage and light pollution. This keeps costs down for the community, and may result in reduced rates, thus encouraging further investment. In Los Angeles for example, 140,000 streetlights were replaced with energy-efficient LEDs.
Bolstering the community
These are just some of the many ways new technology can help bolster a growing community. Smart parking, autonomous transport and smart commercial areas are some other interesting fields that are helping townships coalesce and increase. Can you see some of these in your own community? Let us know!
The author is the COO and digital co-founder of PropertyAccess