Ecocities
An ecocity is a human settlement that enables its residents to live a good quality of life while using minimal natural resources.
Buildings
Its buildings make best use of sun, wind and rainfall to help supply the energy and water needs of occupants. Generally multistory to maximize the land available for greenspace.
Biodiversity
It is threaded with natural habitat corridors, to foster biodiversity and to give residents access to nature for recreation.
Transport
Its food and other goods are sourced from within its borders or from nearby, in order to cut down on transport costs.
The majority of its residents live within walking or cycling distance of their workplace, to minimise the need for motorised transport.
Frequent public transport connects local centres for people who need to travel further.
Local car sharing allows people to use a car only when needed.
Industry
The goods it produces are designed for reuse, remanufacture, and recycling.
The industrial processes its uses involve reuse of by-products, and minimise the movement of goods.
Economy
It has a labour intensive rather than a material, energy, and water intensive economy, to maintain full employment and minimise material throughput.
—Ecocity definition written by our sister organization, Urban Ecology Australia
