Atlantis, A Green City Vision
Atlantis was formed in 1986 by Landscape Architect, Humberto Urriola following his dream of creating Green Cities. In the early 1970’s Humberto developed a vision to cover cities with beautiful landscaped gardens. Buildings would be covered with hanging gardens, rooftops with intensive gardens and parks & gardens added to the urban landscape. The Green Cities would be part of a new urban cycle that improves water quality, reduces contaminated runoff, improves air quality, reduces the heat island effect and improves the mental health of the population.
Urban Temperature Regulation (Green City Natural Insulation)
The heat island effect of a city is drastically reduced by the plants and gardens that cover it. The ambient temperature of the city is well regulated by the abundance of green vegetation located on green roofs, green walls, parks and gardens. The vegetation and soil profile provides a natural thermal insulation that absorbs and transforms sunlight which provides pleasant temperatures during summertime. The vegetation is an ideal sink for carbon which purifies the air, outputs oxygen and absorbs water runoff.
General Wellbeing
Psychological studies have shown that human beings living in environments with plants as opposed to oppressive artificial environments enjoy better moods and well being.
Air Quality & Oxygen Production
Increased plants in urban landscapes can dramatically provide benefits in improving air quality by filtering and transforming toxins, pollutants, carbon dioxide and increasing oxygen supply.
Abundant Urban Water Supply & Water Quality
Abundance of vegetation in urban environments also provides increased areas for water absorption and infiltration which reduces runoff, and provides filtered clean water which is made available to recharge natural aquifers or to store and reuse thus preserving natural waterways. The elimination of stormwater pipes frees natural waterways of the burden of gross and dissolved pollutants such as plastic waste and other pollutants which end up in our oceans.
Urban Farming
Apart from the air and water quality benefits of the increased vegetation provides, community gardens, rooftop and vertical farming provide fresh local produce to the city. Localised farming is also a great way to recycle organic waste locally. This combination of urban farming and recycling of local organic waste minimizes the city’s reliance on produce being transported into the city and organic waste exiting the city.
Urban Biodiversity
A green city covered in plants and gardens creates an ideal environment for the flourishing of local flora and fauna such as birds and bees. Artificial wetlands that transform sewage provide sustainable habitats for local flora and fauna.
Green Urban Transport
Ample public transport is available throughout the city and roads are located underground.
