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Last week at NeueHouse in New York, Mormedi, in collaboration with our New York office, hosted "Shaping Urban Futures," a panel discussion exploring how cities will evolve by 2050. Moderated by Jaime Moreno, Founder & CEO of Mormedi, the conversation featured Juliane Trummer (VP of Research & Strategy, Mormedi) and Michael Miller (Architect & Aviation Lead, Gensler). The event brought together designers, strategists, architects, and urban planners to discuss the forces shaping the future of cities—mobility, sustainability, digital transformation, and the challenge of making cities not just more advanced, but more livable.
A key part of the discussion was Future Scenarios, Mormedi’s initiative that helps organizations explore how different urban models could take shape in the coming decades. We shared insights from our research, identifying five urban archetypes that could define cities in 2050. Leading Mega Cities will continue to push technological and economic growth but will need to address accessibility and equity challenges. Green Cities will lead in sustainability but must find ways to remain economically competitive. Expansive Bustling Cities will see rapid urbanization, creating both opportunities and major infrastructure pressures. Highway Cities will remain car-dependent but will rely on autonomous and electric mobility to evolve. And then there are Futuristic Cities, where AI-driven systems, flying taxis, and next-generation infrastructure could completely change how urban environments function. The purpose of Future Scenarios isn’t to predict a single future but to help businesses, governments, and city planners anticipate change and design better solutions today.
" Cities are not just about infrastructure and technology—they are shaped by people’s needs, cultural contexts, and economic realities. Even the most advanced innovations won’t work if they don’t serve the people who live in them." - Juliane Trummer
Throughout the discussion, one idea kept coming back: cities are about people first. Even the most advanced urban infrastructure won’t work if it doesn’t serve the people who live in it. This is why cities need to be designed holistically, balancing technology, regulation, and urban planning with real human needs. Mobility was a major topic—how do we integrate multimodal solutions, from better public transport to autonomous vehicles and EVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft), in a way that is efficient but also inclusive? The challenge isn’t just about innovation; it’s about making sure the benefits of new technology reach everyone.
New York became a natural case study in the conversation. For all its strengths, the city still struggles with transportation inefficiencies, especially when it comes to airport connections. The recently introduced congestion pricing was another hot topic, with insights from an MTA representative on how it’s already reducing traffic and improving public transport. There was also debate about the rise of robotaxis—should they be considered private or commercial vehicles under congestion pricing rules? And EVTOLs sparked discussion on whether they will truly change urban mobility or remain an exclusive solution for a small segment of users.
As the discussion wrapped up, it was clear that cities need to be designed with adaptability in mind. While urban environments are built to last for centuries, the world is changing faster than ever. The challenge is creating cities that are flexible enough to evolve with new technologies, climate challenges, and societal shifts—without losing their human essence.
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