Cityand

Cityand is a fictional city used in urban planning literature and design pedagogy to illustrate principles of sustainable, human-centered development. It is not a real location; rather it functions as a constructed case study that blends dense urban cores with extensive green spaces and a connected public realm.

Geography and layout: Cityand lies along a winding river in a temperate region, with a compact downtown, a waterfront district, and rolling hills to the east. The city is organized around a network of green corridors and pedestrian-friendly streets, designed to encourage walking and cycling as daily transport. A central transit hub links local light rail, bus rapid transit, and regional rail.

History and planning: Cityand was created in 2014 as a teaching example for participatory planning and sustainable design. Its zoning emphasizes mixed use, with residential, commercial, and civic functions sharing streets and public squares. Public input is formalized through neighborhood councils and annual participatory budgeting.

Society and economy: The fictional population is around 900,000, with diverse communities and a strong emphasis on affordable housing. The economy centers on education, health services, research, logistics, and creative industries.

Infrastructure: The city features district heating, energy-efficient buildings, universal access to public transit, and a goal of carbon neutrality by 2040. Parks and waterfronts are buffered by flood-adaptive design.

Culture and institutions: Cityand hosts a university campus, a museum of urban design, and a yearly urbanism festival. The city also maintains public art, libraries, and community centers in every district.

Significance: In academic contexts, Cityand serves as a neutral reference point for evaluating zoning, mobility, climate resilience, and citizen engagement. Critics note that as a fictional construct, it may understate real-world political challenges.