How would you design the city of the future?
The city of the future should embody human evolution’s lessons and adapt to modern needs through sustainable practices. Emphasising energy efficiency, it must prioritise eco-friendly materials, minimising pollution while maximising renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. Urban planning should promote independent housing to enhance air circulation and discourage excessive reliance on air conditioning. Furthermore, modern cities need efficient public transport systems and data self-sufficiency to preserve sovereignty. The design should focus on comfort, cleanliness, and accessibility, ensuring homes offer privacy and adequate amenities. Ultimately, future city planning should harmonise technological advancement with environmental sustainability.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The design of a sustainable city incorporates energy efficiency and eco-friendly materials while minimizing pollution.
- Urban planning should enhance air circulation, reduce reliance on air conditioning, and promote efficient public transport.
- Future city planning must harmonize technological advancement with environmental sustainability for improved quality of life.
- Modern civilizations have progressively developed infrastructure while facing challenges like climate change and resource depletion.
- A sustainable city prioritizes comfort, cleanliness, and accessibility, ensuring residents have a healthy living environment.
Introduction
Human evolution is a saga of determination, perseverance, grit and persistent efforts for improvement. Nature extensively experimented with different circumstances. Nature developed new animals and plants. This was to assess their ability to endure harsh environmental conditions and inhospitable situations long before humans appeared. This led to the evolution of various organisms from minute unicellular to multicellular. They evolved from a simple body which carries out whole processes to more organised organs and systems.
Life evolved
(a) Motion picture events
The evolution of life-forms is an interesting series of events. When joined, these elements create a motion picture. This picture not only entertains but also teaches many aspects. These aspects help us learn new things. Learnings passed down through generations via genetic material to manifest specific traits in the organism. The transmission of enhanced information results in a particular change within the organism, aiding its adaptation to new situations.
(b) Changes were gradual
The evolution of vertebrates narrates various stages from pure aquatic to amphibious life and from terrestrial to avian and arboreal. The change was gradual but firm and helpful in the progression of life. This checked wiping of organisms from the Earth deprived it of life. Nature creates. Wiping of life was not the solution. It keeps plan “B” always ready to cope with the exigencies. Nature can’t afford to denude the Earth of life-forms.
(c) Humanoid evolved
Human evolution is the part of the process. It is easily understondable in the light of the above. The arboreal primates descended to the Earth to become big primates like the Gorilla. They gradually started taking bipedal stature, freeing their forelegs. They found it easy to use their forelimbs for other tasks. An upright stance gave them a clear one hundred eighty-degree vision. Thus, a humanoid evolved close to Gorilla cousins in appearance but with an upright stature and a more refined brain.
Civilisation developed
(a) Improved brains and inventions
Since the time of early civilisation, humans have learned a lot. The knowledge helped them lead an organised life. Such an organisation was necessary for a settler. Humans were no longer foragers. They were leading a settled life and had started leading an organised life. With their improved brain and logic, they invented things to ease life.
(b) Early humans
Early humans were rustic, had started agriculture and animal husbandry for their daily needs of food. Bartering had started. Surplus grains and produce were bartered for other needs. The simple bartering gradually became trade and commerce.
(c) Infrastructure developed
The increasing complexities in life led to the systematic development of ports, roads, godowns and warehouses. They began carefully constructing these facilities along with residential dwellings, which initially were simple structures. The endeavour was to create sustainable cities. They built roads, commercial centres, and shops with care. They also constructed business houses. A system for record-keeping and bookkeeping was developed and implemented. Proper planning and thinking had started and were in use.
Oldest civilisation
(a) Indus Valley civilisation
One of the oldest civilisations, the Indus Valley Civilisation, had town planning at its zenith. The roads were broad and crossed each other at right angles with systematically arranged houses along roads. A community bath, “Great Bath”, was the insignia of their habitation. They used to cook food. Their utensils underline their good taste and deep understanding of crockery making. Their plan was according to the ways of a sustainable city.
(b) Extinction of the great civilisation
The great and highly developed civilised society was washed away. The reason for their disappearance is still shrouded. Archaeologists, historians and researchers are divided on the issue. They agree that a great flood in the Indus River can be the reason for their sudden disappearance. Their language has yet not be deciphered, hence an estimation is the only way to prove their disappearance.
(c) Other civilisations
Various civilisations flourished and vanished in contemporary times. Among them were Egyptian Civilisation, Sumerian Civilisation, Greek Civilisation, and Roman Civilisation were but a few. They vanished, leaving their spoors in the form of ruins. These include dilapidated structures, pyramids, obelisks, and columns. Monarchs and chieftains gave decrees and orders. It was documented by inscribing on clay tablets, monoliths, or the walls of places of worship. This gives a glimpse of their lifestyle and helps us read their minds. (World History)
City planning in Roman civilisation
(a) Pompeii
In Roman and Greek ruins, city and town planning is seen at its utmost perfection. They carefully planned their cities, colossal buildings, amphitheatres and stadia. It all boiled down to a properly developed, advanced and sustainable city of the time. The well-preserved ruins of Pompeii reveal the city’s planning, featuring many shops, bustling commercial areas, temples, and sports complexes. Despite their great planning, they couldn’t save themselves and perished.
(b) Provisions as per need
Great cities and civilisations had provisions as per their need. There was minimal environmental pollution due to low population density and the use of consumables sourced from natural resources. The Romans had no proper way of disposing of their excreta and garbage. The slaves used to throw them on the streets. Paved roads had stone slabs at intervals to cross the road, avoiding filth on the road.
(c) Houses in Roman civilisation
Human beings have come a long way. As mentioned earlier, ancient civilisations were planned according to their requirements. Roman houses were not only places of personal belonging. They also mirrored the status and affluence of their owners. These included single-family houses known as “Domus”. They also had multi-storied dwellings for the people with low income. The houses used the greatest possible use of rainwater and sunlight, making it part of a sustainable city. The “Domus” had an Atrium, Tablinum, and Cubicula. The Atrium used to have an open roof for rainwater and light. The rainwater used to accumulate in an “impluvium” (basin) just below the “compluvium” (open to the sky). This was the provision that keeps people attached to Nature and the use of rainwater for domestic purposes. (History Extra)
Modern Society
(a) Energy is of utmost importance
Modern society has progressed significantly and is now heavily dependent on machines. Electricity has become a necessity, not a luxury. Energy has become the most sought-after commodity. Without energy, nothing is possible. It can be anything, from solar radiation to fossil fuel, from electricity to wind power. Energy consumption is directly proportional to societal development. Higher energy consumption indicates a more developed society. Clean and green energy is the need of the time and is a portal to a sustainable city.
(b) Focus areas in city planning
(i) Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)
City planning must focus on maximising energy efficiency while minimising the use of pollutant-producing materials. The concept of LiFE is aptly introduced. It focuses on sustainable growth and planning. The thrust needs to be on “Circular Economy.” This concept emphasizes not on use and throw, but on use, recycle, and reuse.
(ii) Limit the use of Fossil fuels
The conventional means of energy, like fossil fuels, are not eternal. Their reserves are draining fast. Moreover, they significantly contribute to atmospheric pollution by emitting noxious gases when burned. Their excessive use need to be controlled. They should be replaced with other non-conventional sources like solar power, wind power, geothermal power, et cetera.
(iii) Use of eco-friendly materials
While planning and developing a futuristic and sustainable city, priority should be given to eco-friendly substances for house making. The houses need to use recycled materials. These include fly-ash bricks and premixed concrete. Cement and TMT bars should be limited. It can be replaced by more eco-friendly and substances. It is noteworthy that ancient and medieval buildings were constructed without using them. This reduced heat and insulated against cold winds.
Smart Cities
(a) Computer technology
The Current Era is of the “Smart City”. Ultra-modern, computer-aided life is what is in currency. The use of computer technology has entered almost every aspect of life. Computers have made a significant impact in various areas, including transportation, healthcare, office automation, and domestic affairs. Future planning must take this into account to have a sustainable city. In a data-driven society, data is a powerful tool. One who can use them effectively is smart. There needs to be self-sufficiency in data and technology usage. There must be enough provision for data centres. Safeguards must protect against remote foreign invasion by controlling the switch of data situated in a foreign land.
(b) Public transport
Less use of fossil fuels and increased use of public transport are the needs of the time. For this, a fast, secure, cost-effective and easily reachable public transport system needs to be introduced. Though in some cities this is being done, but it is insufficient, which needs to be increased.
(c) Breathable houses
The construction of pigeonhole-type row houses should be discouraged, though it can’t be stopped. Independent houses are a preferable choice. They promote better air circulation. This is unlike row houses that have three sides enclosed.
(d) Limit the use of ACs
Use of excessive air-conditioning is harmful. ACs release a significant amount of heat into the atmosphere. They also consume excessive energy. Eco-friendly houses that incorporate space for planting are a more suitable choice. Eco-friendly houses with provision for plantation are the apt replacement.
(e) Revamping the electricity supply
The hanging overhead electricity wires are nuiscence. They attract mishappenings and line loss. They need to be underground. It helps lower the cost of their maintenance, reduces frequent faults, and minimises line loss.
(f) Necessary evil
The monsoon brings many things, including mass destruction due to floods. The dams on rivers, constructed with multiple uses but mainly for power generation, sometimes become a nuisance. They increase the danger of flood, inundation of houses, crop destruction and loss of life. Dams are necessary evil, so they need to be planned and maintained regularly. The desilting of dams is essential to preserve their water-retaining capacity and decrease the flood menace.
Future ready cities
The design of a futuristic city is not merely about erecting skyscrapers and high-rise buildings. It involves the smart use of space and technology. This ensures better and improved services, amenities, and comfort. A home is the place which gives a feeling of privacy and a sense of possession. It is a cosy nook for everyone of us. The surroundings need to be clean, salubrious, noise-free, and easily approachable.
Epilogue
A city needs proper planning. Public health, breathability and salubrious environments are essential. Citizens have the right to a peaceful, healthy life. City planning is not just a cursory exercise. It needs involvement and serious planning. The houses should have provisions for natural light, proper ventilation, sanitation, regular water and electricity supply and all-weather roads. It is people’s right to have them all.
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