The Ecopolitan

Green Dreams

Protecting the environment is the work of dreamers just as much as scientists, activists, public officials and business leaders. We can never create a sustainable future until we imagined it in the first place.

So what would a green community look like if we unleashed the full power of our ingenuity and idealism? Monocle magazine--a savvy British publication with a refreshingly smart perspective on culture and global issues--threw that question at architectural design guru Alejandro Gutierrez in its July/August issue.

Gutierrez, who is based in London, has overseen plans for several large-scale green communities, including Dongtan, a 33-square mile eco-city under development near Shanghai that is being closely watched around the world.

Some of his recommendations for "the perfect community" are as familiar to environmental enthusiasts as they are sensible and essential: green spaces of many varieties; state-of-the-art trams circulating through the area; an array of locally owned businesses; plentiful pedestrian and bike paths that serve as the social bloodstream of this town or neighborhood.

But he tosses in some genuine surprises--removing all stoplights and traffic signs so that motorists and pedestrians must work things out equitably among themselves; establishing a local resource center "where everything from mattresses to plastic is turned into building materials"; transforming rooftops into community gardens; and making certain all windows open to the outside so that we are not cut off from fresh air at work or home.

Gutierrez's vivid description of a green tomorrow is very attractive and should inspire us to put our own imaginations to work. Actually, I envisioned something similar for the website for the Project for Public Spaces, describing an inner city neighborhood that sprang back from urban decay to become a lively, lovely community famous for its great parks, friendly pubs and fun-filled neighborhood festivals.

Now it's your turn. Dream up some big improvements for the community you call home.

© The Green Guide, 2008

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