Most sustainable city on the planet

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Treasure Island Plan: Most sustainable city on the planet

 

 

 

Treasure Island, the man-made lump made up of 20 million cubic yards of sea

floor soil sandwiched between 287,000 tons of rock and finally glazed over with

50,000 yards of loam.

 

The island was created for the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition and

then claimed as a Naval base until it was decommissioned 11 years ago. Since

that time the city of San Francisco has been mulling over a re-facing and

studying how to redevelop the bleak landscape on the horizon.

 

 

 

Following some-odd 300 meetings among officials, engineers, architects and the

public, a plan has emerged and it is a bright green one. The task is to create a

13,500-person inhabited “urban oasis†consisting of the latest technology

and natural systems that is expected to leave the slightest footprint on Earth!

 

 

 

In 2009, Treasure Island will begin the initial phases of construction and the

little known city will suddenly blossom as a hot-bed and laboratory of

“green†development. The latest in water conservation, energy efficiency,

waste management and low-impact living will be implemented. The goal: to create

the most ecological city in the world, a shining example of what the future

holds.

 

The creators and designers of this idealistic platform see this city being less

the threat to the planet, rather, an opportunity. Instead of devouring the

natural resources and spitting the waste out in the form of sewage and garbage

in what is typically called the linear flow. This island environment intends to

produce its own energy and recycle its waste transforming the traditional city

environment from a factory, in a sense, into an ecosystem. By integrating smart

eco-friendly systems a city like this one will be able to support a larger

number of citizens with far less resources.

 

Once the changes are complete, the entire restructuring of the island city from

the ground up will permantently wipe away the present sense of personal privacy

for the current residents. All will be lost in order to benefit the public by

greatly increasing the amount of open space. For example, housing density will

increase from eight units per acre to 75, essentially doubling the amount of

open space while accommodating five times as many residents.

 

The plan also calls for a shortening of the roads to a maximum of 400 ft. giving

way to a pedestrian friendly layout. 90% of the residents will be able to keep

their autos planted in park gathering dust because they will be dwelling within

a mere 10-minute walk of the city center. The 220 acres of proposed open space

is to be planted with a diverse and healthy range of plants which will help

offset the city’s greenhouse production. This smart planning of combined

pedestrian access and carbon-sucking vegetation will offset the per capita

carbon emissions a significant 60%, from an estimated 7740 to 3030 pounds per

year.

 

An analysis of the weather patterns helped the urban planning committee to

reorient the street grids 35 degrees west of due south to optimize the solar

exposure and provide increased protection from the sea-faring winds. This

re-alignment will increase energy efficiency and provide a more pleasant stroll

around the town.

 

By the year 2020, more than 1 million square feet of roof tops will be covered

with solar panels producing an estimated 30 million kilowatt hours of

electricity per year. This is enough juice to be able to export power back into

the grid system during peak hours. A wind farm positioned on the northwest

corner of the island coupled with roof-mounted wind turbines will help

supplement the solar power efforts as well.

 

A 20 acre city-operated urban farm will be placed just one mile from the city

center greatly reducing the transportation costs for Treasure Island residents.

For comparison, food in the U.S. travels an average of 1500 miles from the farm

to the market place which is currently a significant burden to the agriculture

industry nationwide. Manmade wetlands on the north end of the island will house

and filter the bulk of the storm water runoff. Bio-swales will litter the

landscape, these are channels filled with compost or vegetation that will assist

in the natural removal of silt and pollution. Some 25% of the wastewater from

homes and businesses will be treated and recycled for irrigation and for use in

the commercial buildings.

 

This approved plan will provide ripe opportunities for eco-developers and

bussinesses alike, allowing them to showcase their innovative and eco concious

ideas and products to the world. The end result of all the proposed and planned

developments might just make Treasure Island the most truly sustainable urban

environment on the planet.

 

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

Confucius