By Paige Frewer
Many cities are working on becoming more sustainable by using modern science and technology.
But some people argue that the only feasible way to truly live in harmony with the Earth is for humans to revert back to rural lifestyles, which seems to contradict the above.
Is there a way to synthesize these two approaches? In particular, to utilize classically eco-unfriendly culprits like asphalt, concrete buildings, and cars in a way which creatively and resourcefully supported the sustainability of the city? Could doing so help us to ensure a healthy world for future generations?
What if the sustainability of urban regions didn’t just benefit from, but actually depended upon the marriage of modern technology and natural systems?
Imagine a city that achieved this balance.
Audacious Street for Vancouver
Is that corn growing on the roof?
(I do have a bias towards this contributor, but…) What a brilliant, concise way to capture the dilemma and the opportunity that Vancouver represents at this point of technological innovation and human damage to the planet. I see the next phase of collective perception would have to be that, although discomfort would come from radical changes (like, West Van give up single occupant drives over the Lions Gate…now painful!) it would be even more uncomfortable to continue on the current course. So how does the public come to buy in to that? The older people are, the more it looks like the status quo is not so bad - (subconsciously I think their mind says “I’m OK, Jack - I’ll be long gone before it gets that bad…give me more fish to eat and gas to burn).