The most effective pointers exist in Japan with developments by Mori Buildings at Ark Hills and Shinegawa, and the Umeda Sky Building at Osaka. In Europe the combination of mixed uses, high density, easy access and a strong feeling of place is less well established. La Defense for all its brashness may become such a foci. Barcelona waterfront has such potential. The knowledge worker, with the mobile technology is independent.
Work can be any place any time.
As the investment in building and business technology increases the pressure is on to use space over a greater period of the day and overlap uses. The imperative to continue to develop technology and apply it in a more effective way to improve productivity can only continue. The role of urban design is to understand these trends, reflect on the emerging demands, provide meaningful form and manage the process of change. At present the result has had little thought for the quality of place. As the speed of development and the size and complexity increases the natural response is to apply good management principles and break the project down into smaller discrete packages, at the expense of an overall vision.