Daily Signals 15.06.2021

Signals

Your Future London invites ideas from city dwellers, Solstice Sounds rethinks concert formats and Auckland tops rankings as world’s most liveable city.

An open platform that makes urban futures inclusive

Your Future London by Centre For London, UK Your Future London by Centre For London, UK
Your Future London by Centre For London, UK Your Future London by Centre For London, UK
Your Future London by Centre For London, UK Your Future London by Centre For London, UK

London – Your Future London is an online platform welcoming input from city dwellers about the future of the UK capital.

Created by Studio Cronica for think tank Centre of London, the project hopes to create a shared vision for London to 2050 and beyond by welcoming ideas from residents about environmental and economic factors such as public transport and minimum wages. ‘Your Future London is an extraordinary opportunity for Londoners from all walks of life – from business owners to young professionals to community groups,' says Rob Whitehead, director of strategic projects at Centre for London.

The platform is organised into three main parts: a quiz about what Londoners would like to happen in the city, data about London as it is today and future scenarios for the city. After completing the quiz, users will be presented with a personalised illustration that reflects the future they envisage for London.

By inviting input from citizens, the platform echoes ideas we explore in our Equilibrium Cities macrotrend – considering the importance of including diverse viewpoints in future urban spaces.

W'air offers a greener alternative to washing machines

W'air, UK W'air, UK
W'air, UK W'air, UK

UK – Venture management company Pilot Lite has introduced a hand-held laundry device, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional washing machines.

The product, W’air, marks a first for the sector in terms of its eco-conscious approach. Using hydrodynamic technology, the device emits air, water and detergent to break down stains and odours on fabrics. Its hand-held and easy-to-use format also enables it to be used on soft furnishings and footwear, making it a more convenient and eco-conscious option than dry cleaning or washing machines.

Through this targeted approach to cleaning, the company aims to extend the lifespan of products, while reducing the energy and water consumption involved in conventional washing methods. Jonathan Hewlett, CEO of W’air, says: ‘With the help of W’air, we hope that people will begin to change their laundry behaviour and re-imagine the way they care for their clothes.’

Recognising the damaging environmental impact of mainstream laundry habits, brands are stepping up to provide more Conscious Aftercare.

Solstice Sounds will flip the script on concert formats

SoundCloud SoundCloud

Australia – Forming part of Sydney’s first city-wide cultural programme since Covid-19, Solstice Sounds is a new concert format hosted by media publications GQ and Vogue Australia.

Taking place at Harbour City’s State Theatre, the two-day event will reject traditional theatre formats and strip away seating plans to instead place the audience on stage with the artists. As part of this intimate set-up theatre seats will take the place of a backdrop, inverting the format of conventional performances and allowing concert attendees to experience an up-close and in-depth look at the artistry of singers and instrumentalists.

This event will also follow GQ magazine’s Big Ideas Talk as part of the wider Sydney Solstice programme, which similarly takes an intimate approach by hosting a dinner and afterparty for guests.

With fandom increasingly taking on new formats and many consumers feeling ready to return to live events, find out more about the future opportunities for media and entertainment in our Inter-Covid Roadmap Webinar.

Stat: New Zealand overtakes Europe for world’s most liveable city

Xuhui Runway Park by Sasaki, Shanghai Xuhui Runway Park by Sasaki, Shanghai

The impact of Covid-19 is forcing many people to reconsider the appeal of European cities, with The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) finding that Auckland is now considered the most liveable city in the world.

According to its recent survey, New Zealand’s success in containing the Covid-19 outbreak – including its ability to safely allow restaurants, theatres and schools to stay open – has pushed Auckland to the top of the rankings. This is followed by Osaka, Adelaide and Wellington, with Asia-Pacific noted as a destination for the highest quality of life. Meanwhile, the European city of Vienna has fallen to 12th place, having previously topped the list from 2018 to 2020.

Explaining the shift in rankings, The EIU said: ‘The extent to which cities were sheltered by strong border closures, their ability to handle the health crisis and the pace at which they rolled out vaccination campaigns drove significant changes in the rankings.’

To discover more about the ways that global cities are developing into civic spaces, delve into our Urban Wellness Market.

Previous Daily Signals Articles
Vacheron Constantin’s La Quête du Temps stars in Louvre exhibition

Daily Signals

Vacheron Constantin’s La Quête du Temps stars in Louvre exhibition

Luxury Swiss watchmaker Vacheron Constantin has unveiled La Quête du Temps at the Louvre, a monumental automaton clock to celebrate the brand’s 270...
Luxury : Watches : Retail
Mandarin Oriental to open first golf and wellness resort in Dubai

Daily Signals

Mandarin Oriental to open first golf and wellness resort in Dubai

Mandarin Oriental is expanding its luxury footprint in Dubai with its first dedicated golf resort and branded residences, set to open in 2030.
Travel : Hospitality : Luxury
Stat: Medical misinformation is a growing concern for US Women

Daily Signals

Stat: Medical misinformation is a growing concern for US Women

A recent survey by Clue reveals that 82% of US women are concerned about encountering medical misinformation online, with over half (55%) reporting...
Stats : Statistic : Statistics
Netflix’s Famous Last Words signals a new era of digital legacy

Daily Signals

Netflix’s Famous Last Words signals a new era of digital legacy

Dr Jane Goodall, the renowned ethologist and conservationist passed away this week. An interview she recorded for Netflix’s new series Famous Last ...
Technology : Legacy : Longevity
Foresight Friday: Seyi Oduwole, foresight analyst

Daily Signals

Foresight Friday: Seyi Oduwole, foresight analyst

Every Friday, we offer an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, foresight analyst Seyi Od...
Foresight Friday : Content Creation : Media
Stat: Americans’ trust in media declines to record low

Daily Signals

Stat: Americans’ trust in media declines to record low

Media : Trust : Consumer Behaviour
London welcomes the world’s first Museum of Youth Culture

Daily Signals

London welcomes the world’s first Museum of Youth Culture

The world’s first permanent museum dedicated to youth culture is set to open in Camden, London, in December 2025.
Youth : Culture : Museum
Swedish insurer hacks social media algorithms with mental health anthem

Daily Signals

Swedish insurer hacks social media algorithms with mental health anthem

Swedish insurer Länsförsäkringar Göteborg och Bohuslän has launched Detoxify, a subversive campaign that uses music to retrain harmful social media...
Sweden : Social Media : Algorithms
Stat: Gen Z shuns the values most desired by hiring managers

Daily Signals

Stat: Gen Z shuns the values most desired by hiring managers

New research from behavioural-science company Becoming You Labs reveals that only a small fraction of American Gen Z hold the three main values tha...
Youth : Gen Z : Work
Stella McCartney debuts plant-based feathers at Paris Fashion Week

Daily Signals

Stella McCartney debuts plant-based feathers at Paris Fashion Week

At Paris Fashion Week, Stella McCartney unveiled a striking alternative to bird feathers: plant-based Fevvers.
Stella McCartney : Fevvers : Feathers
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN