Italian architecture firm Luca Curci Architects presents THE LINK, a vertical city for 200,000 people. The project aims to rise above the challenge of population density by successfully combining vertical expansion with economic innovation. A self-sustainable city-forest, THE LINK will absorb CO2, produce oxygen for cleaner air and increase urban biodiversity while interconnecting communities, reducing sprawl and lessening poverty.

With its 300 floors THE LINK will reach the maximum height of 1200 meters. The project combines sustainability with population density, and it aims to build up a zero-energy city-building. The city-forest is made of 4 main towers, connected to each other, equipped with green areas on each level, natural light and ventilation with 100% green transport systems. The vertical city allows its residents to enjoy a healthier lifestyle, in connection with natural elements, re-thinking the traditional concept of community and society.

Using an urban operating system with AI (Artificial Intelligence), the vertical city will be able to manage the global city temperature, levels of CO2 and humidity, will control the global lighting system, and will have storage for extra energy produced by solar panels and other renewable energy resources.

“The first smart city to be 'conscious oriented,' this idea will prevent urban sprawl, produce and store energy, improve air quality, increase urban biodiversity, and create a healthier lifestyle,” says Luca Curci. “Cities will shape our future.”

Half of humanity, 3.5 billion people, lives in cities today and 5 billion people are projected to live in cities by 2030. The world’s cities occupy just 3 per cent of the Earth’s land, but account for 60-80 per cent of energy consumption and 75 per cent of carbon emissions.

Climate change is now affecting every country on every continent by disrupting national economies, communities, and countries. Weather patterns are changing, sea levels are rising, weather events are becoming more extreme and greenhouse gas emissions are now at their highest levels in history.

Urban sprawl, the rapid expansion of the geographic extent of cities and towns, is often characterized by low-density residential housing, single-use zoning, and increased reliance on the private automobile for transportation. Urban sprawl has been correlated with increased energy use, pollution, and traffic congestion and a decline in community distinctiveness
and cohesiveness.

The suburbanization of poverty is one of the most important demographic trends of the last 50 years. Poverty rates across the suburban landscape have increased by 50 percent since 1990. THE LINK city-forest with a multi-level vertical urban planning, will prevent urban sprawl while bringing trees, shrubs, and plants closer to everyday life.

THE LINK urban system is planned to incorporate smart city technologies and to connect more than 200,000 people, with a total volume of 14.500.000 cubic meters, and green areas of over 1.200.000 square meters, dividing the city into functional areas for residential life, workplaces, government, retail, schools, amenities, healthcare facilities, tourist destinations, spiritual and cultural hubs.

“THE LINK vertical city-forest is a sustainable ecosystem for living and working,” explains Luca Curci.

THE LINK will be presented in several cities of the world, with the aim of opening a dialogue with institutions and private investors. More info: www.lucacurci.com