BACK TO THE FUTURE

THESE VISIONARY PROJECTS PIONEER ECO-FRIENDLY INNOVATIONS WITHOUT COMPROMISING LUXURY, AIMING TO CREATE ETHICAL URBAN PARADIGMS FOR TOMORROW

- SHREYA CHEEMA & KARTIKEYA SHANKAR

MAJOR CITIES WORLDWIDE, ONCE ENVISIONED AS THE locus of advancement, are no longer immune to nature's wrath. From increased water levels to temperature rise to overpopulation, climate change has the world in a chokehold.

A report published by the World Bank, titled "Thriving: Making Cities Green, Resilient and Inclusive in Changing Climate," indicates that the frequency of extreme heat increased across cities globally from the 1970s to 2020, whereas the sea-level rise of about 0.125 millimetres per year has also increased the risk of flooding for coastal cities. These effects have been quadrupled with the impacts of overtourism, which include resource depletion and increased pollution. Several destinations that have always been on a traveller's radar are facing the brunt of this. Be it the romantic city of Venice or the buzzing capital of Jakarta and the serene Maldives, they are all staring at a grim future.

However unfortunate, this reality has propelled many major countries to build for a better future, with many innovation-led sustainable cities being planned around the world. While some are on their way to completion, and some with their eyes set on the next decade, these cities of the future are all for redefining urban living. And for travellers, they promise experiences like you have never had before.

AMAALA, SAUDI ARABIA

As one of the flagship projects conceived as a part of Saudi Arabia Vision 2030, Amaala is set to become a sought-after destination for global travellers. While all eyes have been on Amaala for its luxurious experiences, from wellness to marine adventures along the Red Sea coastline, the destination is focused on staying sustainable.