Major cities have seen a mass exodus throughout the pandemic as people shifted to remote working arrangements and turned to areas with a lower cost of living.
However, experts predict that 2022 will be the year that cities bounce back as they become more accessible and inclusive through mixed-use developments that will include retail, offices, and more.
Cities will particularly prioritize livability by incorporating more amenities for people, such as access to flexible workspaces, educational institutions, open nature, public transportation, and more.
Many regions have already started making changes to become greener, such as expanding bike lanes so commutes are better for the environment and adding city parks to give residents easy access to nature.
Some cities are using the 15-minute city concept to improve their livability, allowing residents to have access to essentials, such as grocery stores and the workplace, within minutes of their homes.
Sustainability is one of the biggest drivers of city-wide changes as the impact of climate change is starting to impact everyday life.
Increased flooding, rising temperatures, and decreased air quality is leading cities such as Seoul and Beijing to invest in reducing their air pollution, and this is expected to continue in 2022.
