I would take the best aspects of places like Vancouver with it’s layered approach to residential spaces and Barcelona with it’s self-contained blocks. I would start by focusing on neighborhood blocks. In the center of the block would be a greenspace for gardens, parks, or sports fields. That would be surrounded by neighborhood shops and restaurants. Behind the neighborhood shops and restaurants would be single family homes. Behind the single family homes would be multifamily dwellings, and behind that would be larger apartments. This way there would be plenty of housing and greenspace for everyone too enjoy. Outside of the block would be large pedestrian roadways lined with shade trees to keep the city cooler. The idea is to have everything within walking distance.
I would limit the use of cars to emergency vehicles and small delivery vehicles, so that the shops can stay supplied and the people’s needs would be met. Also, I would make renewable/green energy production mandatory. I’d install rooftops with as many solar panels as possible and wind turbines of varying kinds and sizes. Also, my future city would have municipal high-speed internet as a utility. I would ban the use of combustion engines. The only exception would be construction vehicles, until there is a suitable replacement that doesn’t pollute the environment. I’m not talking about contractor trucks, but heavy machinery like bulldozers, cranes, steamrollers, and cement trucks.
Furthermore, I would make recycling mandatory. Single use plastics would be banned as well. By prioritizing neighborhoods that have most everything within walking distance, and clean spaces free from air pollution and noise pollution from cars, it would make for a much better life for citizens of my future city.
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