Cities evoke images of concrete and asphalt, fiberglass and steel. In our “concrete jungles,” instead of a cool mist wafting across green meadows, steam rises from overheated asphalt. In many speculative fiction novels, cities are hubs of despair. In the words of George Lucas, they are “hive(s) of scum and villainy,” testament to how humanity’s ambition frequently overshadows humanity’s good sense.
Fortunately, in real life, people often have more sense than science-fiction writers like to give them credit for. Cities do not have to be concrete jungles. You can plant trees on the rooftops and green, leafy things on your walls. If you’re feeling particularly creative, erect a solar-powered “supertree” to add both function and style to your backyard.
Check out the latest environmentally far-sighted innovations from Lebanon, England, and Singapore!
