Green Cities of the Future

What will our cities look like in the future? Ideas for Sustainable Development

Are green cities imaginary - or are they in our future?

Greensburg, KSMay 7, 2007

A tornado hit the

small town of

Greensburg, KS

and in a few

seconds, the town

was erased!

Photo used with permission by PhotosbyBobbe.

Only the street pattern and a few landmarks survived.

Photo used with permission by PhotosbyBobbe

The survivors lived in temporary housing. They decided to rebuild - but in a new, sustainable way.

Photo used with permission by PhotosbyBobbe

They began to research and introduce new sustainable ideas.

Greensburg, KS, was becoming a “Green City.”

What are some green ideas

for Green Cities?• Conserve resources. Don’t

waste energy, water, or money

• Reduce trash. Reuse and recycle.

• Grow or make the things you need.

• Use alternative energy sources

• Respect the natural world.

Photo courtesy of courtesy of DOE/NREL I Photographer: Katrin Scholz-Barth

The Chicago City Hall green roof helps cool the building, reduce energy costs, minimize water run-off, and improve air quality.

http://ecosalon.com/high-tech-green-roof-technology-in-architecture/

ACROS Fukuoka, in Fukuoka City, Japan. 35,000 plants, 76 species – and the city’s best view from an office window.

The Sustainable Green Roof for Living Laboratory in Bostonhttp://www.architecture-view.com/2010/09/04/the-sustainable-green-roof-for-living-laboratory-in-boston

Vertical Farming in Skyscrapers

Benefits of growing plants in cities:• Local transportation costs• Disease free food• More productive year round growth – many growing seasons per year• Weather independent quality – indoor crops not damaged by weather eventshttp://mushroomuniverse-malaysiaformalaysian.blogspot.com/2010/11/verticalhigh-rise-farming.html