The concept of ‘green cities’ has been on the rise in recent years against the backdrop of global environmental threats and rapid urbanisation. Urban planning, as one of the vital aspects of the building process, acts as a linchpin in transforming cities into future green cities that can not only be the centres of growth, but also hubs of environmental health, sustainability and well-being for all. In this article, different modern urban planning ideas are discussed, showing how they can reinvent cities into future green ones for a better world.
1. Integrated Green Infrastructure
Green infrastructure – one of the core building blocks of future green cities – simply means integrating nature into urban areas so that it becomes part of the fabric. This means using nature as a guiding principle for everything from town planning to building design. Green roofs, vertical gardens and green walls should be the norm, not the exception in every building; these support the greening of cities, and also help to manage rainwater, mitigate against urban heat islands and improve air quality. Similarly, designing streets with bio-swales and permeable paving are key considerations – useful forms of stormwater management that increase resilience against the stress of climate change and reduce flood risks.
2. Sustainable Transport Networks
To truly achieve a green city, the way cities are planned must change from car-centric and motorised to people-centric and non-motorised. The number of bicycles can be increased and the infrastructures for cycling can be improved, for example by creating networks of cycling lanes and pedestrian paths that are safe and well connected. Public transport can be encouraged and supported with an investment in efficient, reliable and sustainable forms of transport, such as electric buses and trams. The construction of car-free zones (for example, in city centres) can reap benefits for many citizens, both residents and visitors alike.
3. Smart Urban Energy Systems
Indeed, green cities of the future will also need to be transformed in terms of how they raise, distribute and store their energy. Tailor-made smart grids that combine renewable energy sources, as well as energy-efficient building designs, can reduce the energy consumption of urban environments significantly. Solar panels and wind turbines leave a smaller environmental footprint in comparison with other sources, and newer and exciting technologies such as piezoelectric flooring that harness kinetic electricity from footfall should be integrated in the planning and construction of new developments. Meanwhile, smart energy systems can balance and reduce the energy consumption of an entire city, as they can draw on real-time data throughout the urban environment to maximise the efficiency of energy use.
4. Ecodistricts
The systematic development of eco-districts, segments of a city designed using the most advanced technological and sustainable methods to be capable of managing all its essential services (energy, waste, water, food, etc) in an autonomous fashion, can become a leading and increasingly viable urban planning strategy. Eco-districts can become living labs for the design and testing of innovative green technologies before they are applied on a larger scale in the rest of the city.
5. Community Gardening and Urban Farming
Fostering urban agriculture is another important feature of green cities. Community gardens, rooftop farms and even indoor vertical farming can bring food production closer to home, reduce food miles and enhance food security; they can also strengthen community spirit and raise awareness of living sustainably and eating well.
6. Enhancing Biodiversity
However, long-term urban planning should tackle the issue of biodiversity. The creation of biodiverse habitats – ephemeral sites shaped by human interaction, natural processes, and adapted to both human and nature needs – can go far in creating and protecting urban biodiversity. Butterfly gardens, bee corridors, bird-friendly habitats are all examples of the urban interventions that can be beneficial, not only to local wildlife, but also to humans through increased connection to nature, with positive effects on mental health.
7. Water-Sensitive Urban Design
Last but not least, being able to best manage the city’s water resources is crucial to successful green city planning. Water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) could integrate the entire water cycle into urban development planning, from rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling to advanced wastewater treatment technology for reclaimed water utilisation for irrigation and industrial purposes.
Conclusion
In order to do this, future cities should be planned in an integrative way to be truly innovative as well as sustainable. By re-creating the relationship between buildings within the city and between the city and its surrounding area, urban planning can produce spaces that are healthier and more resilient for the future of our planet.
Read another of my articles about urban planning here: https://quicksetts.com/cobbled-speed-tables-urban-planning/