Future Super-Eco Beijing: City of Gold

The Ecotopia 2121 Project details the futures of 100 cities across the globe as though they've somehow overcome all environmental challenges and become super-ecofriendly. This month, we highlight the future of super-eco Beijing.

China's industrial future can be golden and Green at the same time. Here's the future of Beijing as the city is decked out in 'Green Gold' architecture.

Each building is made from eco-gold brick, coming from a gold industry universally adjusted by adopting three fundamental policies:

1. The No Stench policy. Gold-mining should not change the natural aroma of the air, thus the predominate flora has to be preserved, noxious chemicals have to be abandoned, lakes and fisheries have to be conserved, and mining sites have to be restored.

2. The Random Watchdog policy. Randomly-chosen community members are enlisted to supervise the operations and finances of gold-miners (with guidance from randomly-chosen international scientists, lawyers and accountants).

3. The Common Heritage of Mankind policy. Gold mined from publicly-owned land should be pronounced as the Common Heritage of Mankind. Thus, gold can be rented year by year and shifted around the world but it cannot be bought and sold. The ongoing revenue from gold rental can then be used for environmental benefits in the country of origin.

For future scenarios about some of the 99 other cities of the Ecotopia 2121 project, see this page.