Future Cities

I've come across two new ideas for cities that are fascinating but raise some interesting issues. I've lived in San Francisco for 5 years now and with the exception of the De Young and the Federal building have been disappointed with new the architecture that I see rising in city. It's been somewhat devoid of creativity an imagination. I'm sure a lot is hampered by building code and bureaucracies, which is why I was pleasantly surprised to see such a large scale, somewhat controversial architectural plan in the works for Treasure Island.

The concept is to create a fully sustainable community on Treasure Island that will be a model for green cities of the future. It touts full self reliance on solar energy, a self supporting urban farm and urban planning that will create a community based around open spaces.

A few of the debated flaws include that it's built on landfill that will liquify during an earthquake, will flood during the process of global warming and will destroy all historical structures that currently exist on the land. Despite these challenges I think it's great that we're designing for the future and are willing to test new ideas on such a large scale. I especially like the idea of creating a community that is reliant on walking and bicycling for its main modes of transportation.








The other intriguing concept is the Venture Xtreme complex schedule to for completion by 2011 in London that will allow outdoor enthusiasts to surf, mountainbike and rock climb. The highlight is the 20m wave house that will be an 'urban surfers paradise.' It's poised to be a theme park for adults that will let them surf without traveling far and wide for the perfect wave. Although it sounds exciting I started to wonder where the line is drawn for simulated experiences and what part of the surfing experience is compromised when you know a nicely shaped wave will roll in ever 30 seconds.... I seem to think maybe this is another situation where instant gratification destroys something great.