The development proposes a from-scratch sustainable community built on brand new land at the edge of a reservoir.

In the tradition of built-from-scratch ‘cities,’ a new development in Spain purports to be Europe’s first foray into the literal construction of new land on the edge of a reservoir, reports Elissaveta M. Brandon in Fast Company.
Elysium City, as it is called, is billed as Europe’s first circular city to be built from the ground up, following a masterplan by global architecture firm Gensler. It will span 2,900 acres (about 4.5 square miles) and is expected to be completed in 20 years, with the first phase opening in about 5.
The article notes the similarities to Saudi Arabi’s Neom. “Both are described as sustainable havens with solar farms, a rail network, and electric vehicles.” However, Brandon explains that Elysium could avoid some of the pitfalls of Neom. For one, “It promises to work with nature, not against it.”
Originally conceived as a glittering luxury gambling haven—“Eurovegas”—the project was reimagined after the Covid-19 pandemic as a solar-powered, all-electric, sustainable community. But “construction is set to begin on the most economically profitable district of them all—entertainment—because [developer Francisco Nuchera] faced pressured from the local government to create jobs.” This means “the city will most likely look like Eurovegas before it looks like Elysium.”
FULL STORY: Spain is building a city from scratch. Can it avoid the mistakes of Saudi Arabia’s line-shaped metropolis?

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Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.

California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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