Analyzing Possible Futures Using Structured Analytic Techniques

Students in the Analyzing Trends course at Parsons School of Design used SATs to explore four key areas that will shape human life over the next fifty years: cities, education, fashion, and work. Their work revealed both exciting possibilities and deep vulnerabilities that society must address to create a better future. In the case of cities, privatization may make urban environments more efficient, but it also threatens to exclude lower-income residents from essential services. If corporate-run districts replace public spaces, people may lose access to the parks, libraries, and transit systems that allow communities to thrive. This shift could lead to economic segregation where only those who can afford premium city access can participate in the best parts of urban life.