Arup reveals its vision for the cities of the future

This forward-thinking report, undertaken by Arup's 'Foresight + Research + Innovation' and Landscape Architecture teams, addresses global issues such as climate change, urban population growth, resource scarcity and risk of urban flooding.

Cities Alive analyses existing research and trends in landscape and city design to show how the creation of a linked 'city ecosystem' encompassing parks and open spaces; urban trees, streets and squares; and woodland and waterways, can help create healthier, safer and more prosperous cities. Some of the more innovative elements such as urban farms, glow in the dark trees and solar powered pathways are illustrated in an artist impression, to demonstrate how the futuristic components can integrate into the city's network.

Planning for green space

"Often green space is employed as an after-thought in urban development, either due to costs, a lack of space, or a lack of understanding of the benefits it can deliver, but its impact on the health and wellbeing of citizens and the carbon footprint of the city warrants far more attention. We should be developing cities to promote biodiversity rather than hamper it, as part of a drive for higher quality external design to create better places for urban citizens to live, work and relax, where people can lead healthier and happier lives. As space in cities becomes more precious, planning for green space needs to be considered as a fundamental consideration and not as an optional add-on or a nod towards biodiversity. We need to plan our external environment in a multi-layered way, so we can use our city space more effectively by exploiting and adapting existing spaces," says Tom Armour, landscape architecture group leader at Arup.

Cities Alive highlights that we need to make the natural environment a primary concern in urban development, and one that should be considered from the earliest planning stages. By working with nature and through high quality landscape design, Cities Alive proposes an economic way of addressing the challenges of population growth and climate change in our cities, to deliver significant social and environmental benefits.