The city of the future will rarely be entirely new. It will emerge from today’s gaps, extensions, and conversions.
Housing returns to the city
New homes do not appear only on open land. Empty offices, car parks, and single-storey shops are becoming building sites within the city—when planners and owners can align.
Conversion does not automatically save money
Existing structures, services, and hazardous materials make projects complicated. Roads, schools, and public transport, however, are often already present. The equation improves when planners identify early what can remain and which use suits the building.
Smaller homes, shared rooms, and mixed ground floors create more value than maximising floor area alone.
What matters
Observation
Consequence
Office depths are tested
Not every structural grid can provide well-lit homes
Ground floors remain flexible
Shops, clinics, and workplaces bring life to the neighbourhood
Parking is shared
More space remains available for homes and greenery
Kontur
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