We love futuristic cityscapes (who doesn’t?), and JM Schivo & Associati’s awesome Earth City is no exception. The multi-national firm has unveiled a beautiful and wonderfully odd urban scheme for a city that not only works with nature, but depends on it. Packed with eco-friendly and low energy features, the green city combines architecture + sustainability in a holistic manner, with almost half of the urban footprint made up of green spaces that have been thoughtfully integrated within (and without) the built environment.  Oh, and it’s designed to be completely powered by renewable energy sources. If that doesn’t have “award winner” written all over it. Read more.

City blocks containing residential, commercial, and office buildings are built right into the landscape, weaving in and out of plants and forests. Green roofs and walls integrate the buildings into the surrounding nature while keeping air clean and accommodating during hot and cold months.

While this sounds more like a jungle than a city, the firm has also included the latest technology in solar panelling, cogeneration, and geothermal heating to power the city efficiently and at a low cost.

The proposal also includes a system of shared electric vehicles and public transportation, making the green city pedestrian friendly and minimizing carbon emission.

Though it may just seem like a green dream, “Earth City” offers us a fantastic glimpse into the (potential) future of sustainable design.

[via inhabitat]

by Molly Cotter

posted in Uncategorized

tagged A+ Awards, architecture + sustainability, earth city, green, sustainable, urbanism, utopia, zero carbon emissions

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