Living Capital of the The Malvern Hills

THIS PROJECT PREDICTS AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURES OF THOUSANDS OF CITIES AND TOWNS WORLDWIDE. THIS WEEK, WE HIGHLIGHT THE FUTURE OF THE BRITISH CITY OF WORCESTER AS IT MOVES TOWARD "GREEN UTOPIANISM" BY THE EARLY 21st CENTURY.

Movie: Panorama of a Worcester, England, in the future -- featuring its new all level 'eco-edu' school

(to be constructed by students, teachers, parents, and with the help of the local wildlife --

but without sponsorship of any kind from any private engineering or technology firm).

Worcester: A Model Super-Green City of the Future

In the late 21st century, Worcester, England, underwent a remarkable transformation, becoming a global icon of sustainable living. This shift, defined by radical de-engineering and a renewed connection to its natural heritage, replaced a former dependence on technophilia with a philosophy rooted in ecophilia. By embracing the River Severn and the Malvern Hills' wildlife, Worcester found a harmonious balance between human activity and the environment, demonstrating how modern cities can thrive within the constraints of ecological integrity.

From Technophilia to Ecophilia

For much of its history, Worcester mirrored the global obsession with technology as the solution to urban challenges. However, the limits of this approach—resource depletion, habitat loss, and a rising alienation from nature—became painfully clear by the mid-21st century. Local activists and policymakers initiated a new vision that sought not to dominate nature but to live within its rhythms. This vision was guided by principles of radical de-engineering, a process that deconstructed unnecessary, energy-intensive infrastructure while preserving and restoring natural ecosystems.

Radical De-Engineering

Worcester's first step was to remove outdated road networks and parking facilities, transforming these spaces into permeable urban forests and wetlands that absorbed floodwaters from the River Severn. Highways were replaced with lush greenways, and personal car ownership gave way to a network of human-powered transport, including bikes, boats, and electric trams powered by local renewable energy sources. The city repurposed office buildings and industrial sites into vertical farms and wildlife corridors, creating spaces where humans and nonhuman species coexisted.

The famed Worcester Cathedral became a beacon of this transformation, its grounds rewilded with native plants and home to bees, bats, and peregrine falcons. Its ancient stones, bathed in solar-powered light, stood as a reminder of humanity’s capacity to adapt and preserve its cultural and environmental heritage simultaneously.

Celebrating the River Severn

The River Severn, once polluted and undervalued, became the lifeblood of Worcester’s green renaissance. Restored to its natural flow, the river hosted thriving fish populations, otters, and migratory birds. The city fostered ecophilic festivals celebrating the Severn’s changing seasons, reinforcing its centrality in daily life. Water management moved from engineered dams to natural floodplain restoration, reducing flood risks while creating biodiverse wetlands.

The riverfront was transformed into community hubs with floating gardens, open-air classrooms, and eco-art installations powered by kinetic and solar energy. These spaces connected citizens with the Severn’s beauty and biodiversity, fostering a collective ethos of stewardship.

Rewilding the Malvern Hills

The nearby Malvern Hills became integral to Worcester’s ecological revival. Wildlife corridors connected the city to the hills, allowing deer, foxes, and badgers to roam freely. Rewilding initiatives reintroduced native species, including wildflower meadows that supported pollinators essential for the city’s vertical farms. Citizens participated in guided foresting efforts, planting oak and beech saplings to regenerate woodland habitats.

The Malvern Hills also provided a sanctuary for human well-being. Schools and workplaces incorporated outdoor education and workspaces, encouraging a daily connection to the hills’ beauty and tranquility. This proximity to nature fostered a cultural shift toward simplicity, mindfulness, and sustainability.

A Legacy for the Future

By 2100, Worcester’s transformation into a super-green city was complete. Its embrace of radical de-engineering and ecophilia demonstrated that progress need not come at the cost of nature. Instead, Worcester became a living example of how cities could flourish by reconnecting with their natural heritage.

Through its symbiotic relationship with the River Severn, the Malvern Hills, and the wider landscape, Worcester proved that urban centers could sustain human and nonhuman life in balance. Its story inspired cities across the globe to move away from technophilia, fostering a future rooted in ecological harmony and shared prosperity.