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