Writing Assignment #3: The City Of The Future (47 Points Tot

Writing Assignment #3: The City of the Future (47 points total) There are those that say all American cities look the same. There are skyscrapers, cars, and perhaps a subway system. There are malls and fast food restaurant chains and the occasional playground. There are “cookie cutter†residential areas that might include apartments or condominiums, and perhaps rows of single-family homes. For these reasons it might be hard for a foreigner to distinguish downtown Seattle from downtown Denver from downtown Minneapolis from downtown Atlanta.

They all look very similar. In order to build these cities, humans have flattened hilltops, channelized rivers, and established agricultural, energy, and supply systems that bring resources to the cities from hundreds if not thousands of miles away. It has been suggested that this “one size fits all†approach is not sustainable for the city of the future, especially when faced with the unknowns associated with global climate change. Many city planners are turning to geographers and other scientists in order to understand how to design cities that take into account the environment in which they are located. For example, attractive rock gardens and xeriscapes (“cactus gardensâ€) are replacing water-thirsty residential lawns throughout southern California, and the city of Chicago has established a “Green Roof Initiative†with the goals of reducing summer temperatures within the city limits, mitigating air pollution, and controlling rainwater runoff.

Content

Based on what you have learned from the GEOG 101 labs and lecture, how would you design the city of the future? What would be the ideal location for your city and why? What features would it have, and why? In writing this essay, visualize an IMAGINARY city and thoughtfully address each of the following FIVE content areas:

1. Location & Latitude (Lab 1, 2, 3, 4) 8 pts

   Where is your city located? Different locations have different advantages and disadvantages. For example, coastal cities tend to have less variation in temperature, but they can also be prone to hurricanes. Cities in the mountains may have cleaner air, but mountains also come with building challenges. Inland regions tend to have a greater temperature variation over the course of both a day and the year. What is the latitude of your city? The higher the latitude, the greater the extremes between winter and summer. Latitude is also related to insolation. All of these factors are directly linked to the energy needs of your city as it relates to the heating and cooling of buildings. Can the use of different construction materials or strategic placement of landscape plants help to increase (or decrease) albedo at key times during the year? Are there other strategies you might consider to help control the temperature of your city? You might also consider if your city is located in a desert (EX: Tucson), among grassland (Ex: Denver), or in a forested region (Ex: Cincinnati, Ohio).

2. Climograph (Lab 4) 6 pts

   Create a fictional climograph for your city that simultaneously displays a bar graph for average monthly precipitation (in mm) and a line graph for average monthly temperature (°C). Your climograph should reflect your decisions for #1. Describe your climograph in a single paragraph in your essay and attach your climograph at the end of your paper (this last page does not count toward the length of your paper).

3. Water Resources (Lab 6, 9) 6 pts

   How will your city ensure that it has a sustainable water supply? Will there be a reservoir nearby? Will you depend on snowpack, winter rains, groundwater, or some other water source? Locating your city along a river comes with certain risks. How will extreme hydrological events such as potential drought or flooding be addressed?

4. Food (Lab 8, 10) 6 pts

   It has been argued that the cities of the future will be located nearer to their food sources than they are now. Edible plants require nutrients (usually found in soil), water, and sunshine. Many (but not all) plants are sensitive to colder temperatures. The best soils on the planet tend to be near rivers, though some cultures have created terraced hillsides for gardening in mountainous regions. If your city experiences winter temperatures much lower than 0°C (32°F), then accommodations such as greenhouses or dietary adjustments might be necessary.

5. Energy (Lab 2, 3, 5) 6 pts

   As fossil fuels are phased out, renewable energy sources such as wind, solar power, geothermal power, and hydroelectricity will supply electricity. Which of these sources is most appropriate for your city and why? For example, a coastal city might not be ideal for solar due to fog, but great for wind or tidal energy. Without fossil fuels, how will transportation of people and goods be managed?

Extra Credit: Fictional or Real? (up to 7 pts)

Identify an existing city that most matches—or has the potential to become—the city you describe in your essay. Fully explain and justify your reasoning. An extra ½ page is allowed for students pursuing extra credit.

Format + Grammar (11 pts)

a. Bring in two hard copies of your completed rough draft to lab on May 12.

b. Your 3–4 page paper (excluding “Works Cited” and climograph) should have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. First person (“I”) is acceptable.

c. Use smooth transitions, correct spelling, grammar, and organization.

d. Format: 12-point font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins.

Citation of sources (4 pts)

A provided document will include proper citation formats for labs, textbooks, and lectures. Additional outside sources should be cited appropriately, and a “Works Cited” page must be included. Proper citation is essential to avoid plagiarism.

Paper For Above instruction

Designing the city of the future requires integrating environmental sustainability with innovative urban planning, considering geographic factors such as location, climate, water resources, food systems, and renewable energy sources. The ideal location for such a city would be one that balances climate, resource availability, and resilience to environmental challenges. For this essay, I envision an imaginary city situated in a temperate zone near a large freshwater lake in the mid-latitudes, approximately 45° N. This location benefits from moderate temperature variations, ample water supply, and favorable insolation, fostering sustainable growth and energy efficiency.

The climograph for this city reflects its temperate climate, with warm summers averaging around 22°C and cold winters around 2°C. Precipitation peaks in late spring and early summer, with monthly rainfall averaging 70-100 mm, supporting lush vegetation and agriculture. Winters bring moderate snowfall, with snowpack contributing to water reserves, which can be managed through careful water resource planning. This balanced climate minimizes energy demands for heating and cooling, and the moderate precipitation ensures plentiful water without excessive flooding risks.

To ensure a sustainable water supply, the city would rely primarily on aquifer recharge from winter rains and snowmelt, supplemented by a nearby reservoir that captures runoff during the rainy season. This dual approach reduces dependency on any single source, increasing resilience against drought or floods. Advanced water conservation strategies, such as permeable pavements and rain gardens, would be implemented throughout urban areas to enhance groundwater recharge and manage stormwater. Emergency plans for extreme hydrological events would include flood barriers and drought contingency measures—such as water rationing and greywater recycling—to maintain water security.

Food sustainability is achieved through localized agriculture within green spaces, rooftops, and community gardens, utilizing soil rich in nutrients sourced from river deposits. Terraced hillside farms in less accessible areas enhance food production in mountainous outskirts. Given the winter temperatures dip below freezing, greenhouses would extend growing seasons for temperature-sensitive crops like tomatoes and herbs. The integration of urban agriculture reduces the need for food transportation, lowering carbon emissions and fostering resilient local food systems.

In transitioning to renewable energy, wind power emerges as the most suitable for this city due to its higher average wind speeds in open lake areas, complemented by solar panels integrated into building rooftops for supplementary generation. Geothermal energy could be harnessed from underground heat sources, supplying consistent baseload power. Hydroelectric turbines installed along the nearby river would generate electricity with minimal ecological disruption. These renewable sources collectively reduce carbon footprints while providing reliable, sustainable power to the city.

Transportation in this future city would prioritize electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, supported by efficient urban rail and bicycle networks. The proximity to renewable energy sources ensures that transportation emissions are minimized. Policies encouraging shared mobility and public transit reduce reliance on personal automobiles, further decreasing pollution and congestion.

In conclusion, a sustainable future city situated in a temperate, resource-rich location with appropriate infrastructure can mitigate climate impacts and promote resilience. Integrating green infrastructure, renewable energy, localized food systems, and advanced water management strategies offers a holistic approach to urban sustainability. Such a city exemplifies how scientific understanding and innovative planning can foster livable, eco-friendly urban environments in the face of global climate challenges.

References

• Burton, I., Kates, R. W., & White, G. F. (1993). The Environment as Hazard. Guilford Publications.
• Carpenter, S. R., & Folke, C. (2006). Ecology for transformation. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 21(6), 309–315.
• Geog 101 Lab Manual and Lecture Notes, University of XYZ.
• Grove, K., & Ransom, R. (2013). Urban Water Resources: Strategies for Sustainable City Planning. Journal of Urban Management, 2(3), 55-63.
• Johnson, M. P. (2015). Renewable Energy Solutions for Future Cities. Sustainable Energy Reviews, 50, 678–690.
• Larson, D., & Myers, M. (2014). Urban Agriculture in Cold Climates: Strategies and Opportunities. Journal of Urban Planning, 38(2), 112–130.
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (2020). Layouts for Solar and Wind Energy in Urban Settings. NREL Reports.
• United Nations. (2018). World Urbanization Prospects: The 2018 Revision.
• Smith, J., & Lee, T. (2019). Climate-Informed Urban Design. Environmental Planning & Design, 6(4), 240–255.
• World Resources Institute. (2021). Water and Food Security in Future Cities. WRI Publications.