sustainability
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Little wonder
Even amid LA’s bright lights and big ideas, the compact concept and pared-down simplicity of the compact home is proving popular.
Power trip
Electric cars aren’t new to the motoring scene but they’ve always been practical rather than user-intuitive or well designed – limitations BMW has looked to tackle with its first all-electric model.
Grow your own
As populations become more urban and people become more aware of where their food comes from, city farms, whether it’s beekeeping in Brisbane or vegetable growing in Havana, are coming into their own.
All in it together
As companies collapse, the frenzied pursuit of profit seems to lead to bankruptcy. But the global resurgence of co-operatives points to a beguiling alternative: put employees and customers first.
Harbour dreams
The city of Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan is considerably more relaxed than the capital Taipei. But behind city hall doors, a formidable team is seeing through some ambitious plans.
Spark life
The world is going electric in a bid to combat environmental change and energy dependency. For once this Christmas, batteries are included.
From red to green
China builds one new coal power plant weekly and is the world’s largest carbon emitter. But as leaders meet for the Copenhagen climate conference, it is also the nation that could save the planet.
Low riders, high ideals
With huge windows and a low cruising altitude, you can gape in wonder at the pristine Costa Rican landscape below. Why bother reading the inflight magazine?
Alice Waters
Food is an entire philosophy for Alice Waters, founder of Chez Panisse. For her last meal, she would dine with family, on fresh produce from the nearest local farmers’ market.
Green rooms
Sauerbruch Hutton was one of the first architecture firms to promote the value of sustainable building. Now it’s in demand across Europe, expanding into furniture and pushing developers to think bigger.
