Mega City 2070, a new tool from the American Society of Civil Engineers, is designed to jump-start discussions among engineers and others about the future of the built environment and how today's choices will play out over the next 50 years.
ASCE released the beta version of Mega City on Feb. 22 as part of National Engineers Week. Built on the Unity game engine, Mega City offers users a highly detailed look at a theoretical city of 50 million people in the year 2070 with an interactive 3D model. It focuses on six key trends — alternative energy, autonomous vehicles, climate change, smart cities, high-tech construction and policy and funding — through the lenses of different neighborhoods, potential technology and other projected trends. It also looks into issues facing the future city, including construction and materials, energy and utility, architecture, transportation, water and waste and the environment, and the action that will be needed to adapt over the years.