With rare exceptions, buildings today are still being planned, constructed and managed in the same way as they have been for decades. To avoid becoming obsolete and inefficient, current practices need to change. Net zero buildings, automated control systems and multi-functional design are examples of critical enablers when developing buildings for the next 100 years.

So buildings and construction must and will change, according to industry experts like American researcher Dr. Wang. The changes could be dramatic. They could revolutionize the landscape and the way we live, work and play in cities around the world.

The challenge, says Wang, is predicting exactly what those changes should be and how quickly they will happen. It is also critical to determine how much that innovation and new technology will cost, says Wang, who is an architect by training. Financial considerations can slow or even stall innovation.