Why a new system is needed? The 20th-century model of land use divided cities into zones: residential, industrial, agricultural, commercial, and recreational. This approach assumed that:
industry is inherently dirty and must be isolated,
food can only be produced in rural fields,
housing must be separated from production and commerce,
nature is a decorative afterthought in designated “green zones.”
The result has been cities that are fragmented, energy-hungry, and ecologically fragile. People must travel long distances between home, work, food, and nature. Soil is sealed under asphalt. Sunlight is wasted on bare rooftops. Food, energy, and water are imported from outside, creating systemic vulnerability.
Future city must follow different principles. Instead of separation, it must be based on integration:
food production is embedded everywhere — in courtyards, roofs, green corridors.
industry is clean, local, and compatible with daily life: crafts, printing, digital, bio-production
every surface serves multiple purposes: housing plus agriculture, energy plus cooling, recreation plus biodiversity, etc.
The city functions as an ecosystem, where sunlight, water, and soil cycles are consciously managed.
The following rules codify this new paradigm. They replace rigid zoning maps with functional and energetic balances that guide development while preserving ecological resilience and local autonomy.
Light balance
light absorbents, e.g. photovoltaics, heat collectors
min: 1% due to energy security
max: 10% for biome balance
water bodies
min: 1% due to water security
max: 10% for biome balance
transparent surfaces, e.g. greenhouses
min: 2% due to food security
max 10% for biome balance
the rest is photosynthesis surfaces, e.g. vegetation: