Architect unveils plan for smart forest city in Mexico

An architecture firm has designed a smart city that resembles a forest more than an urban metropolis

Spotted: Italian architect Stefano Boeri has created plans for a new, eco-efficient forest city in Cancun, Mexico. The plan calls for the 557-hectare site to contain more than 7.5 million plants, capable of absorbing 116,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year.

Boeri is known for his forest city designs which propose the creation of vertical, plant-covered skyscrapers to reduce pollution.  The Mexican project would also include sensors embedded in the building fabric. These would be used to collect and analyse data on the use of energy, water and other systems. 

Boeri’s firm is designing the city in conjunction with German engineering company Transsolar. It will include elements to create a circular economy, such as solar panels, farmland irrigated using an embedded water system, a desalination system and water gardens to prevent flooding. Other features will include an internal electric mobility system that will allow residents to leave vehicles on the outskirts.

The Smart Forest City Cancun is designed to accommodate 130,000 residents in plant-covered housing, along with a centre for advanced scientific research. While the plan has yet to receive approval, Boeri’s firm is clear that it represents a new way of living.

Boeri’s firm is not alone in designing smart, eco-friendly cities and buildings. At Springwise, we have seen concepts like this take off. Recently covered ideas include green high-rises in Singapore and a building in Italy with a hanging garden.