China may be one of the most polluting countries on the planet, but its government is going to great lengths to curb greenhouse gas emissions as well as clean the air of contaminants. One of the newest projects commissioned by Liuzhou Municipality Urban Planning is a first-of-its-kind “Forest City” which will be blanketed in nearly 1 million plants and 40,000 trees. Designed by architect Stefano Boeri and located north of Liuzhou along the Liujiang River, the project is expected to be completed as soon as 2020.
The Chinese Forest City will be home to 30,000 people in a community where every building is entirely covered in oxygen-producing plants, that include 100 species. Altogether, the flora is estimated to produce nearly 900 tons of oxygen. The sea of greenery will also be able to absorb nearly 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide and 57 tons of pollutants annually.
As Inhabitat reports, the Forest City will be entirely wired and connected to Liuzhou, with a fast rail line used by electric cars. Geothermal and solar energy will be utilized to power the city which will feature every amenity desired and required. For instance, the Liuzhou Forest City will have residential areas, commercial and recreational spaces, two schools and a hospital.
The architects wrote:
“The diffusion of plants, not only in the parks and gardens or along the streets, but also over building facades, will allow the energy self-sufficient city to contribute to improve the air quality (absorbing both CO2 and fine dust of 57 tons per year), to decrease the average air temperature, to create noise barriers and to improve the biodiversity of living species, generating the habitat for birds, insects and small animals that inhabit the Liuzhou territory.”
Learn more: Stefano Boeri Architetti
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