Cities of Love
12 Ingredients for Sustainable Cities
What you love, you will sustain.
Cities of Love is a book about why and how people should love and sustain their cities.
Earth’s environmental problems are far from being resolved. A large part of these are due to ever-growing cities. Despite more efforts are made to improve cities, it has been difficult to change cities.
One of the fundamental reasons is that people are not motivated to help change their cities. Apathy is now the number one obstacle to positive change. There is hope and Love is the antidote.
Here are 12 ingredients we believe are vital for building sustainable cities.
Family-Oriented City
Ingredient #01
01: Family-Oriented City
Just how much are families considered in the planning of our cities?
“THERE MAY BE NO ROOM FOR US TO LOVE OUR CITIES IF WE ARE UNABLE TO EXERCISE THE SIMPLEST FORM OF LOVE FOR OUR FAMILIES.”
Cities should refocus to put family first as a planning priority
Creation of job opportunities within residential enclave
Every city must have a living room for the entire city
Less Car City
Ingredient #02
02: Less Car City
Is there any hope for the future of public transport?
“CARS MAY BE KEPT FOR THE OCCASIONAL EXCURSION TO THE COUNTRYSIDE.”
Cities planned for public transport free themselves from car congestion
Fill all roads with public transport & return space to people
Roads free from traffic can be enjoyed by all citizens
Garden City
Ingredient #03
03: Garden City
Is there a golden ratio for the relationship between Man & Nature?
“IF WE WANT TO APPRECIATE THE GARDENS IN OUR CITIES, WE MUST LEARN TO APPRECIATE NATURE.”
Recognising the role of nature in city is an important first step
Entitle all citizens to minimum ratio of 8 sqm green space per person
Balance of nature and built environment create beautiful cities
Interactive City
Ingredient #04
04: Interactive City
Is your city a place that encourages people to interact?
“WE BELIEVE THAT THE GREATEST INTERACTION THAT A CITY CAN GIVE TO ITS CITIZENS IS A CONVERSATION ABOUT ITS LEGACY.”
Chairs are essential for interaction in the city
Let people sit in the city and talk about their city
Cities that encourage interaction help people learn to love
Innovative City
Ingredient #05
05: Innovative City
How can we create an environment that encourages innovation?
“INNOVATION DOES NOT NEED CAPITAL BUT CAPITAL CERTAINLY NEEDS INNOVATION.”
Planning our homes to be used for innovation rather than TV
Cities must be filled with innovation from the streets to the living room
Creating an atmosphere that stimulates innovation in the city
Shopping City
Ingredient #06
06: Shopping City
How is shopping vital for a sustainable future?
“SO BY SUPPORTING OUR RETAIL BUSINESSES, WE ARE SUPPORTING OUR OWN ECONOMY.”
Shopping is part of a circular economy that stimulates growth
Shopping is an essential part of family life in cities
Shopping is an essential part of city life but must be made enjoyable
Sporty & Healthy City
Ingredient #07
07: Sporty & Healthy City
What can ordinary citizens do to keep themselves healthy in a city?
“THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO EXERCISE IN THE CITY IF WE CONSIDER WALKING INSTEAD OF DRIVING.”
Cycling is a practical healthy life style in cities
Sports facilities are increasingly being brought closer to city centres
Edible City
Ingredient #08
08: Edible City
How can we manage our food supply in a sustainable manner?
“IT IS QUITE EXCITING JUST TO THINK ABOUT FRESH PRODUCE BEING EASILY AVAILABLE TO ALL CITY HOUSEHOLDS.”
Cities must increasingly provide for its own food supply
Innovation can overcome space constraints for agriculture
Farming should be integrated into future cities
Smart Device City
Ingredient #09
09: Smart Device City
Is Mankind really becoming smarter because of smart technologies?
“THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE EXCHANGE BETWEEN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY UNTIL NOW.”
Smart cities lie in the hands of smart people using simple devices
More buildings must adopt net zero approach
Ultimately, smart cities depend on smart people
Happy City
Ingredient #10
10: Happy City
How can cities be happy?
“A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE FIND THEIR SELF-WORTH AND MEANING IN LIFE.”
A lovely city is where people have a sense of humour
Cities must create an atmosphere of joy and happiness
Basking and performance helps to achieve a festive atmosphere
City of Hope & Honour
Ingredient #11
11: City of Hope & Honour
Why do we not always find hope and honour in modern cities?
“THERE IS MORE IN SOCIETY THAT WE NEED TO HONOUR APART FROM OUR LEADERS.”
Cities must increasingly provide for its own food supply
Cities must honour their founding fathers and heroes
Developing a diverse and inclusive culture is essential
City of Romance
Ingredient #12
12: City of Romance
What makes a city romantic?
“WE BELIEVE THAT IT TAKES A ROMANTIC PEOPLE TO MAKE A ROMANTIC CITY.”
Cities of love must be cities of romantic atmosphere
An icon of romanticism increases the romantic X-factor of a city
Preserving nature helps create a loving atmosphere
