Most of my work happens in the digital realm.

I'm often in a different country than my teammates, connecting with them through Teams calls, Miro boards, and endless streams of messages.

It's efficient, sure - but it lacks something essential.

No matter how seamlessly technology keeps us in sync, remote work has a way of making human connection feel… distant.  

So, I compensate.

I make a conscious effort to balance my digital interactions with real-world presence.

When I can, I step away from the screen.

Maybe it's a meet-up with a friend, a conversation with someone new, a bike ride, or simply walking to a café to work for a while, surrounding myself with the quiet rhythm of everyday life.

These small, seemingly insignificant interactions - a quick chat with a barista, a nod to a fellow remote worker, the background hum of people going about their day - aren't just pleasant; they're necessary.

They do something fundamental to my neurobiology (I've written about this before. Find one of my articles here).  

This isn't just personal.

It's a reflection of a larger shift in how we live and work.

As our cities evolve and our lives become increasingly digital, we need to ask: are we designing spaces that encourage connection, or are we unintentionally engineering isolation?  

Jonathan Paris, my ever-dedicated AI assistant, has plenty of thoughts on this! 

He envisions a perfectly efficient AI-planned city - optimal traffic flow, seamlessly timed deliveries, workspaces that adjust temperature and lighting based on biometrics.

But would it actually bring people together, or would it just keep them moving past each other like well-programmed cogs in a hyper-optimised digital utopia?  

It turns out the future of cities is so much more than just about integrating smart technology.

It's about making sure they remain deeply and undeniably human. 

The Urban Blueprint for Belonging 

If we want to design cities that build real-world interaction, we need to rethink urban planning.

Right now, most cities prioritise logistics over life. Wide roads for cars, closed-off office buildings where people can not get access or pass through, and public spaces are designed as afterthoughts. (I'm deliberately stepping on toes here.)

But when you plan for people instead of traffic, cities become something entirely different.   

Some key elements that make urban spaces more social:  

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Walkability& Bikeability –When people move through a city at a human pace, they naturally interact more.Amsterdam is proof of this. (read more here)

Third Spaces – Not home, not work. Just places designed for people to gather, linger, and connect without the expectation of spending money. True community hubs - public plazas, cozy cafés, and libraries - offer spaces where people can exist together without the pressure to consume.In a hyper-commercialised world, we need environments where presence itself is enough.

Mixed-Use Neighbourhoods – When living, working, and socialising exist in the same area, people bump into each other naturally.  

The question is: are we designing so that digital and physical life can coexist? 

The Architecture of Interaction 

Architecture has the power to shape behaviour.

Some buildings invite connection, while others seem to scream, "Keep moving."

Think about the difference between a massive corporate office with a grand but lifeless lobby versus a co-working space designed with shared kitchens, communal tables, and cosy nooks that encourage conversations.

This isn't to say one should replace the other - both have their place.

But architecture speaks to us in ways beyond function.

It creates a feeling, sets a vibe, and influences how we interact (or don't) within a space.

Some environments encourage presence and engagement, while others make us feel like we're just passing through.

Good design for interaction includes:   

Homes with communal elements –Co-living spaces, shared courtyards, adaptable layouts that balance privacy with connection.  

Offices built for collaboration– The hybrid future means workplaces need to earn their relevance. Spaces that feel dynamic and social will win over sterile cubicle farms.  

Public spaces that invite engagement– Benches facing each other instead of apart, playgrounds for all ages, and squares that welcome lingering rather than just passing through.   

Balancing Digital and Physical Life   

Ok, so we are absolutely not rejecting technology here.

But we are making sure digital convenience doesn't replace human connection.

Future cities will need to actively encourage physical presence, not just assume it will happen by itself.  

Public spaces need Wi-Fi, but there are also reasons to look up from the screen.   

Homes should support solitude - but also invite spontaneous connection.  

Workplaces must offer more than a desk- they should offer a reason to be there. (see one of my articles on that topic here.)  

Because while AI, virtual reality, and smart cities will continue to enhance our world, they can't replace the small, everyday moments that make life worth living.  

Let's Wrap This Up

Thanks to digital advancements, we've offloaded tasks to AI and other tools, freeing up something far more valuable than efficiency.

Time! The most important currency we have.

Instead of being consumed by logistics, admin work, and endless coordination, we now have the opportunity to reclaim time for real connection.

The future of cities is more than making everything faster or more optimised. It's making sure they give us a reason to show up for each other.

Urban planning, architecture, and design will determine whether we live together or just next to each other. AI can streamline a city, but it can't make it feel alive.  

That's up to us.

So, as we shape the cities of tomorrow, let's make sure they belong to us. 

And remember: We are the users. We give purpose to the space, to its existence.

And as for Jonathan Paris?

He's happy to handle my schedule, but I'll be using my extra time to step outside and meet people - right where life actually happens.

Lots of love,

Stina

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