Attributes for a Futurama Vision

A 21st century version of Futurama 1939 using today's powerful and pervasive communications and visioning technologies.

• Paint a compelling and engaging vision of a post-carbon world in such a way as to enthuse others to embark on a journey towards it.


• Use stunning content, images, and narrative to resonate with the nation's values.


• Build national consensus on the society we want to live in and leave to our children, given the realities of this new century.


• Give a sense of direction for public policy and private investment.


• Engage the grass roots while acknowledging that national leaders play an important role.


• Empower regional planning resource centers with state-of-the-art planning, visualization, and decision support tools.
• Show real-life examples of what cities and buildings might be like in a livable post-carbon society.


• Illustrate protection of urban forests for carbon sequestration, cooling, recreation, habitat and beauty. Encourage new planting of trees and other habit.


• Protect urban wild life particularly the birds and bees (pollination) and other animal and mammal species.


• Conserve open space, restore wetlands and create water retention basins for runoff and protection of the water system.


• Recognize flood plains and restore them. Reduce and eliminate development conflicts in these areas.


• Reclaim and redevelop brownfield and former industrial sites.


• Reduce dependence on automobiles with trail and bike trails.


• Develop recharging sites for electric cars and refueling sites for renewable fuels.


• Develop "pocket" parks that take over abandoned property and create community gardens.


• Encourage local food production and outlets i.e. Farmers markets, community compost sites, raise worms, hold classes etc.


• Create a diverse mix of housing sites. Undertake a "life-cycle" housing inventory that prioritizes uses that are not common, such as starter homes, senior housing, and nursing care located within the same community so people can live in one area throughout their lives.


• Renew sidewalks and make sure they are ADA compliant and safe.


• Set up a community center for neighborhood events built around schools, and other organizations.


• Encourage recycling and reuse with a zero waste goal.


• Protect, preserve and reuse older buildings, houses, schools and large industrial facilities - for example as indoor gardening centers and open spaces for art classes.


• Ensure well maintained water and waste water systems to prevent water and energy waste.


• Take advantage of and enjoy the community's physical setting, identity and heritage. Market the community to create a sense of community pride.


• Create features that encourage social gathering and interaction, such as small parks, sitting places, outdoor chess boards, etc.


• Emphasize beauty in community architecture and design.


• Protect solar access for buildings.


• Prevent the urban heat island effect with light-colored and natural surfaces.


• Encourage compact, mixed-use development.


• Make the vision scalable - relevant at the national, regional, state and local levels of society.


• Democratize planning by providing opportunities for all Americans to be involved.