Around the world, our societies face the growing threats of climate change, natural disasters, economic crises, wars, pandemics, and numerous other emerging challenges, which have forced us to seriously reconsider what the future holds for our cities, nations, and the world we inhabit. Are the decades-old concepts of sustainability and eco-friendliness enough to cope with these rapid, intense, and unpredictable changes or must we explore the principles and practices that extend beyond sustainability — ideas that involve adaptation, transformation, and coping with our circumstances in the best way possible?
The concept of designing cities to be flexible and capable of self-renewal, known as Resilient & Regenerative Cities, aims to lead urban centers and their inhabitants toward genuine sustainability. Here, we have two case studies from the Netherlands and Colombia that further illustrate this concept.
Resilient City: Schoonchip, a Sustainable Floating Community
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Sascha Glasl, co-founder of Amsterdam-based design studio Space&Matter, discussed the origins and objectives of the Schoonschip project, stating, “Living on the water offers a great solution for places where climate change and a rise in sea levels are a looming hazard. It not only protects people against nature, but it also protects nature itself.” This idea underpins the Schoonschip project, a collaboration between Space&Matter and various experts. Initiated in 2010 and completed in 2021, the project has over 100 residents, featuring 46 uniquely designed floating homes. Each household collaborated with their chosen architect to craft their distinctive residences, resulting in a neighborhood that stands out both in terms of creative thinking as well as lifestyles that directly address the major challenges of climate change. Schoonschip residents inhabit energy-efficient homes, sharing everything from electric cars and bicycles to clean energy generated by the solar panel rooftops of each floating unit. The community is interconnected through a smart grid system utilizing blockchain technology, enabling residents to exchange and circulate water, energy, and waste systems, including the use of underwater heat exchange units.
Regenerative City: Transforming a City Through Its Infrastructure
Medellín, Colombia
Medellín, Colombia was once infamous as one of the most dangerous cities in the world, one that was marred by crime and illegal narcotics trade, particularly cocaine. In 1991, the city had a staggering homicide rate of 381 per 100,000 people per annum, or over 500 deaths per month. The city's transformation began from 2004-2007 when the Colombian government initiated a policy to invest in infrastructural development, aiming to propel Medellín as an innovative metropolis. The government built the Metrocable, an aerial cable car system connecting the city center to the remote district of Comuna, the farthest suburb of Medellín. This initiative aimed to distribute prosperity from the city to distant areas and facilitate quick and convenient travel within the city. The installation of outdoor escalators allowed residents to ascend and descend the steep hills of the community — equivalent to a 28-story building — in just 10 minutes compared to the previous 35-minute walk. The presence of these escalators not only reduced street-level crime but also stimulated local tourism.
Moreover, the city focused on promoting knowledge equality by establishing an interactive science museum (Parque Explora), a library park (Parque Biblioteca España), and a botanical garden (Jardín Botánico de Medellín). As access to knowledge increased, the economy improved, leading to a decline in crime. In recognition of its remarkable turnaround, Medellín was recognized with the City of the Year Award by The Wall Street Journal and Citi in 2013.
The events of recent years have proven that the world is facing unpredictable changes and that these occurrences will likely become more frequent and have more profound impacts over time, from individual issues like personal health to the greatest challenge of them all — the survival of humanity. There is no ready-made solution for such complex and monumental problems, but preparedness and collaboration at every level will better equip us to face these formidable challenges.
