Filed under: Community Empowerment, Ecocity, Environment, Events, Government, Transportation, water | Tags: ARUP, China Ecocity, Dong Tan, Ecocity, Ecocity World Summit, green cities conference, Greencities conference, Peter Head, Sustainable City Development
In 2008, we uploaded a whopping total of 712 videos to youtube, google video, vimeo, teachertube and other social media video applications. I decided to take a look and try to spot the single most popular video we have posted. Not surprising, the most popular video was viewed by a global community and speaks to a global solution. It is my pleasure to represent to you Mr. Peter Head, Chief Architect of the Dong Tan Ecocity project on Chong Ming Island in China.
Filed under: Ecocity, Environment, water | Tags: urban composting, urban farming, urban planning, vertical farm, vertical farming
[Ian Bryan]
By the year 2050, nearly 80% of the earth’s population will reside in urban centers. Applying the most conservative estimates to current demographic trends, the human population will increase by about 3 billion people during the interim. An estimated 109 hectares of new land (about 20% more land than is represented by the country of Brazil) will be needed to grow enough food to feed them, if traditional farming practices continue as they are practiced today.
At present, throughout the world, over 80% of the land that is suitable for raising crops is in use (sources: FAO and NASA). Historically, some 15% of that has been laid waste by poor management practices. What can be done to avoid this impending disaster?
We have been watching Dr. Despommier’s verticle farming initiative for some time, curious about how the world of real planning will take it. An original assumption was that, for the most part, vertical farming is ahead of its time and that it would be decades before wisdom would intersect demand. But it turns out that the idea is catching on.
Think about it. Urban composting. Water catchment. Wind power/height needs…
Filed under: Clients In The News, Community Empowerment, Environment, Technology, re:vision, water | Tags: urban revision, Urban Regeneration, Urban Renewal, water resources, kinetic energy, Gunwook, Gunwook Nam, Human Pump
From our friends at Inhabitat…
Gunwook Nam’s Human Pump is a clever solution to the world’s water crisis that captures kinetic energy generated from human foot traffic and uses it to power a system of pumps that bring fresh drinking water to the surface in a playful, dramatic and life-saving waterfall. One of three winners in the Re:construct competition sponsored by San Fransisco’s Urban Re:Vision, the project is a brilliant example of socially responsible design targeted towards communities without easy access to water.
