4 Eco-Cities of the Future
To help develop this article, click 'Edit this article'.
Despite the urban population taking up just 2% of the world’s land, it uses 75% of the world’s resources.
With the world population estimated to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, conscious countries are building their own eco-cities, hoping to provide a solution to the environmental crisis’ they are currently facing.
This article presents the construction plans of four eco-cities of the future, with each one maximising space and minimising commissions.
Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city (China)
- What was once a dumping ground for toxic waste, is soon to be the world’s largest eco-city.
- At least 50% of the residents will have jobs within the city, which will lessen the air pollution from transport.
- 20% of the energy will be generated from renewable sources such as solar, wind and geothermal energy.
- There will be pneumatic waste collection tunnels that will remove the need for rubbish trucks.
New Clark City (Philippines)
- 66% of the city will consist of green areas, such as farmlands and parks.
- The city will use the mudflow material, Lahar, as an eco-friendly alternative to concrete.
- Buildings will be equipped with technology that will reduce water and energy consumption.
- As the Philippines has an air-pollution problem which affects 98% of the residents, the new city will reliant on public transport.
Quayside, Toronto (Canada)
- 50% of the city’s roofs will be solar panelled.
- By generating 10% of its power, the community will be semi-self-sufficient.
- Construction methods will be introduced to create buildings that are quicker, greener and cheaper than usual Toronto houses.
Pena Station (Colorado)
- As a sunny location, there will be an abundance of rooftop solar panels to generate renewable energy.
- The city will have its own microgrid that will store excess solar energy for backup.
- Panasonic is planning to open a headquarters a short four-minute walk from the train station, cutting down the need for cars.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
New and updated CLC building safety guidance.
New UK National Buildings Database.
Building Safety Wiki Interviews
Chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief explanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.