URBAN DESIGN STRATEGIES: An inspirational yet critical overview

When you’re working to create a world-leading community, it’s good to start by looking at what’s already out there. Here C.L.E.A.R. Village Foundation takes stock.

Masdar, Abu Dhabi

A 6km square space on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, Masdar plans to be a car-free, zero-waste, carbon-neutral city. Norman Foster is the main man behind the walled city, aiming to house 50,000 people and 1,500 businesses. Other plans include generating every watt of energy used in the city with its very own PV panels, and keeping its buildings cool using wind towers.

The city intends to take a new approach to transport, replacing cars with trains and automated transport pods. The transport network is designed so no resident will ever be further than 200 meters from a public transport link. 99% of the city’s waste is expected to be reused or composted, with all waste water reused by desalination systems, again powered by solar energy.

After being announced in February 2008, its first phase is expected to open in late 2009. The pros: it’s a wonderfully ambitious plan – and there’s something extremely inspirational about seeing something so sustainable being planned on such a grand scale. Especially when cities such as Dubai are being constructed without much sensitivity to the environmental crisis.

The cons: The embodied CO2 of such a large new build could be questioned, as the project may only start saving energy in the 22nd century, well beyond our 2050 target to reduce CO2 by our 80%. Also, just as the implementation of Dongtan, China’s leading ecocity, has lapsed, we reckon we’ll believe it when we see it.

Even if the plans do not become reality, we’re hoping that the plans will be released to inspire and inform.

+ Masdar
+ Foster + Partners

Masdar, Norman Foster

Masdar by Norman Foster

Treasure Island, San Francisco

After the renovation of Alcatraz, San Francisco Bay is now greening up Treasure Island. The 400-acre man-made island was originally constructed in 1939, to showcase a new approach to design. Its renovation was approved in April 2006, meaning it can repeat its mission – with an emphasis on sustainable design approaches.

The redesign will give Treasure Island 6,000 new buildings, as well as an organic farm, a sustainable educational and art park, its very own wind farm, plus plenty of wetland space. Completion is planned for 2022, with the first residents moving into its sustainable towers by 2013.

+ Design team lead by Skidmore, Owning and Merrill
+ San Francisco’s Department of the Environment

(Via Inhabitat)

Treasure Island, San Francisco

Treasure Island, San Francisco

Arcosanti, Arizona

Paulo Soleri began this famous architectural experiment in 1970, describing the concept as ‘arcology’ (architecture + ecology = archeology). In other words, the site applies the principles of nature to compact urban spaces. The project has the dual aim of helping people live less wastefully, as well as improving their quality of life. Amazingly, 39 years after it began, the project is still under construction, working to house 5000 people in a 25 acre segment of a 4,000 acre land preserve. Its buildings are designed for multiple use, oriented for optimal solar heating, lighting and cooling. It seems lack of funding has been the project’s crippling factor: despite aiming to house so many people, its current population rests at a meager 160. 50,000 tourists visit the site each year however, showing its huge potential to educate, engage and inspire.

+ Arcosanti
+ Paulo Soleri on Wikipedia

Paolo Soleri's Arcosanti

Paolo Soleri's Arcosanti

There’s some fantastic inspiration out there already, but the question is – how can we move the agenda further forward still?