Can a city be redesigned for the new world of work? Since the pandemic, there is an opportunity to reimagine our urban areas as spaces alive both day and night, at work and at play, writes Edwin Heathcote.⁠ ⁠ City centres are undergoing a moment of radical change. Physical stores have been destabilised by online retail, offices remain half-empty as employees choose to work from home. Public buildings, the libraries, police stations, swimming baths, banks, town halls, churches and community centres are increasingly being turned into hotels or flats as councils respond to government austerity. It may seem the infrastructure of public interiors is collapsing, however a whole new layer of potential has emerged: these spaces could be used for working, for retail and for activity. ⁠ ⁠ ‘A city needs a work ambience but not to be turned into a leisure destination, we don’t need more tourists, we need more people using the city for work,’ says Peter Wynne Rees, the former City of London Corporation’s chief planning officer. ⁠ ⁠ A more permeable city creates more places to work and can be understood as a web of space adaptable to an individual’s preferred patterns. Executives could share spaces with all citizens rather than confining themselves to their corner offices and cars. Workers might be encouraged to engage with the city, to have a meeting in a museum café, and even to see an exhibition during work time. ⁠ ⁠ Tap the link in our bio to read more about how we can re-design our cities. ⁠ ⁠ #FT #financialtimes #urbanliving #cities #work #officelife #hybridworking #wfh