Planetary Boundary Cities: Who is needed?

A planetary boundary city (as defined here) is a plausible future state, future scenario, future setting for humanity to not only survive but thrive. Todays question is, what will it take to succeed, to design, create and make a future physical environment that respects planetary boundaries, helps restore ecosystems, and alters the status quo towards regeneration?

This question has been front of mind these past three years, as we've explored the possibilities. I've been able to work with incredible people, met global experts and share ideas on the future we imagine. While each encounter, discussion and person has their own view on how we might go about shifting the system, one thing is certain: it will require dedication, passion and a variety of people from different backgrounds and skill sets.

Who will we need ?

• Scientists: who understand the planet, earth, geology, geography, and data to help the rest of us recognize the state of the planet today, and projections for tomorrow. They will need to work hand in hand with practitioners to discern how the other works and where they can best insert their specialist knowledge.
• Built environment practitioners: city planners who can set the vision, architects who develop creative designs and engineers who innovate solutions we can only imagine. Practitioners will be key as they'll need to understand how to work with all the others, and to identify where each specialist is best suited to advise and collaborate.
• Asset owners and developers: building and infrastructure owners have the unique ability to decide to build better; they can choose to work with practitioners who have an environmentally focussed conscious to deliver better outcomes.
• Operators: we will need to work with and train building and infrastructure operators how to measure and monitor their assets to ensure optimal performance.
• Tech practitioners: to translate data and make information accessible to all. They will invent and innovate things we can't dream of.
• and, and, and... all of the other hard working, passionate people who make our cities function.

Finally, we need YOU! Each and every one of us (who have access to a technology, and other global north amenities) is an inhabitant of the built environment. You live in homes, walk down streets, use electricity and expect clean and running water. You are, and will be key in creating this better future. Your daily decisions can shift the trajectory of our planet. For instance: choosing to cook at home, instead of getting take away orders; choosing to compost or reuse your leftovers; choosing active mobility options rather than single occupant transport; or replacing the lights in your home with LEDs; or even simply talking to a friend about the state of the planet. These small acts can make an impact on your neighborhood, city, country and the world.

I encourage you to do something today that will help improve the planet's current condition; to do something that might help improve the air quality, or emissions in your neighborhood; or simply to talk to a friend about the current state of our planet. If you do, i hope you share it here in the notes and use the #planetaryboundarycities.

Trust me, Mother Earth will thank you for it.

For more information on what the Planetary Boundaries are, check out this video by Johan Rockstr?m or his TED Talk, both explain the concept brilliantly.

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