Garden Office Blog

The world\'s first Eco-City 2020 announced in Russia

By Matthew Thompson on 8th December, 2010

Russia earlier this month announced plans to build the world’s first Eco-City, encased in a glass dome by 2020, reports The Independent. Based in Siberia the city will be split into 3 zones with vertical farms, forest and residential areas filling the world’s second largest excavated hole at ¼ mile wide and 1,700ft deep. The aim of the city is to protect the inhabitants from the savage effects of the weather which can be extreme in both summer and especially bad in winter. It is hoped that the huge dome and stunning designs will attract tourists to the region. Solar energy will be a key form of power in this project with the vast glass dome covered in photovoltaic arrays to absorb the sun, and skylights and light tunnels will be present throughout to take advantage of the natural light.

The city could provide housing for 100,000 people in the old diamond mine of Yakutia in Siberia. The residential area is designed to create a dense feeling of urbanism which is in tune with the harmonies of nature; a relationship which those used to the harsh Siberian winters may not be too familiar with. This futuristic eco design is set to house a variety of eco-systems to maintain the structure, which even has its own weather system to maintain the gardens and farming inside.

The city/structure will house a research and development centre, where future eco-systems could be developed. Re-using a man-made crater, for living and an experiment such as this, shows that the environment is a major priority. We know we have damaged our environment, and only in recent years have we taken strides to combat the amount of harm which has been done. Here at Decorated Shed we consider the environment in every process of your build; construction, logistics and materials are all performed to have as little environmental impact as possible. As can be seen with our garden building designs and the prospected plans for the Eco-City, environmental design can be eye-catching and contemporary. Even if the Eco-City doesn’t come to fruition, the concept and ideas are in place to make underground, environmental living a reality. 


Category:  Architecture and Design

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