Designed to be self-sufficient and sustainable, the Downtown Circle project is a spectacular futuristic concept envisioned by the architecture firm ZNera Space. The magnificent 550-metre-tall ring is stated to be a mixed-use facility consisting of houses and public and commercial blocks. However, the most striking aspect of the ring is that it surrounds the world’s largest free-standing skyscraper, Burj Khalifa, and will encompass all of Downtown Dubai within a three-kilometer radius.
The project is a spectacular futuristic concept envisioned by the architecture firm ZNera Space
With sustainability in mind, ZNera Space intends for Downtown Circle to become an integral part of the urban ecosystem. Their plan proposes sanctuaries for wild plants and food production, designated areas for rainwater harvesting and solar power stations, and systems for storing carbon and filtering pollutants from the air. The architects also incorporate a futuristic rail transport system comprising a fleet of suspended pods traveling at a speed of 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour. Transporting passengers from one node to another along the outer perimeter of the ring’s lowest tier, the pods will capture a 360 view of the entire city below from the soaring height of 500 meters.
Connecting the two main rings will be a green belt, Skypark. Envisioned as a 3D urban ecosystem that will function as the ‘lungs’ of this futuristic city, it will feature tropical vegetation, various flora, and even waterfalls and swamps. Bringing top-notch sustainability credentials to this concept is a series of rainwater harvesting systems, solar power stations, and a system that will store carbon while filtering pollutants.
”As a response to the dilemma of how to build densely while retaining liveability, the downtown circle project establishes a sustainable and a self sufficient vertical urbanism”
The firm recently released pictures and renderings of this state-of-the-art design on their social media. It stated, “as a response to the dilemma of how to build densely while retaining liveability, the downtown circle project establishes a sustainable and a self sufficient vertical urbanism. As a singular mega building complex, it aims to create a hyper-efficient urban centre that gives back to the environment.”
