From Milan-based Stefano Boeri Architetti, ‘Smart Forest City’ is an innovative concept for nature-infused, sustainable and resilient city living in Cancun, Mexico.
Created for property developer and textile conglomerate Grupa Karim, the proposal includes the reforestation of a 557-hectare site along with a mixed-used development for 130,000 inhabitants.
The scheme utilizes the expertise of botanist and landscape architect Lauri Gatti, who has specified the more than 7,500,000 plants for the scheme – including more than 200,000 trees and over 400 different plant species in total.
The proposal is to be entirely self-sufficient for food and energy. In order to achieve this, the proposal is surrounded by a ring of solar panels from German company Transsolar. In terms of food production, the city proposes an agricultural field belt to surround its entirely. Irrigation is proposed to come in the form of a water channel fed by an underwater maritime pipe. Water treatment is to be provided by a desalination tower.
Conventional vehicles are to be parked on the city’s periphery, with a Mobility in Chain (MIC) system proposed to provided internal electric and semi-automatic vehicles for residents.
Throughout, the proposed new parks, private gardens, green roof, and green façade aim to give back to nature by providing a perfect balance between the amount of green area versus building footprint.
