Today, a large part of our value creation is generated in cities. Thanks to good infrastructure, modern machinery, architectural innovations, and integrative concepts, an innovative, city-compatible mode of production becomes visible and experiential. Modern production facilities find their place among high-rises, office complexes, and residential buildings – sometimes even allowing for mixed-use at the neighborhood level or integrating various functions within a single building. In this way, local solutions to global challenges can arise, which, in turn, can lead to greater identification with one's own living environment. The often individual, customized, or regional products form the basis for additional services and service offerings.
From urban-integrated agriculture practices (urban farming) to traditional industries returning to city centers (urban industries), and resource-efficient, openly designed workshops such as FabLabs (fabrication laboratories), the city of the future is bringing production closer to city dwellers, creating spaces for innovation, participatory production processes, and symbiotic connections to share knowledge or minimize waste and close material cycles.
The goal is not merely production but also enhancing the quality of life in the sustainable city through various measures. Production companies can make a significant contribution by designing factory buildings aesthetically and in response to neighborhood needs. This includes creating a pleasant microclimate through measures such as greenery to enhance the quality of the environment. It is essential to reduce or eliminate local emissions and waste, thereby improving the quality of available spaces, air, water, and noise protection. In the city of the future, buildings and districts will be utilized as energy producers and storage, employing active or "breathing" building envelopes (facades).
