Lily cities will save humanity from Flood. Eco-city made of polyester fibers coated with a layer of titanium dioxide.
The planet is warming, glaciers are melting, sea levels are rising and this will lead to a massive migration of people from low-lying areas to other continental areas. For this purpose, architect Vincent Callebaut developed self-sufficient floating cities Lilypads (lily cities).Each city can accommodate up to 50 thousand. people, and taking into account that up to 25 million people on the planet would be at risk of flooding, Callebo did a thorough job.
Inspired by the shape of the lily, he created an eco-city from polyester fibers coated with a layer of titanium dioxide. What is such a large-scale “ship”? Of course, a mountain of electronics and entirely “green” solutions. Thus, the “double skin” of the structure is made of high-strength polyester fiber coated with a layer of titanium dioxide. The latter, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, decomposes air pollutants through a photocatalytic reaction. 
On an area of 50 thousand square meters there will be work surfaces, shops, residential areas; Hanging gardens and aquaculture will be located below the water level. Cities should run on renewable energy sources: solar panels, wind and tidal energy, etc. Their launch is planned for 2058. 
Lille is the historical region of French Flanders, the center of the northern Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, a city with a Flemish accent close to the border with Belgium. That's why I chose this city for my trip. I thought a lot, looked at pictures on the Internet, and didn’t know where to go in the spring. And then I came across pictures of Lille and reviews from tourists who had visited this city.
I was delighted. A couple of days later I flew to Lille, a mysterious and fabulous city for me. Lille – France in the palm of your hand, that’s what I would call the city.
For many centuries, textile production was the only thing that kept the city of Lille on the list of the most commercial cities. But one day, unable to withstand the pressure from new times, the city surrendered.
But now it is one of the most cultural capitals royal France, main commercial and shopping mall, a place for French students, but we still have to give this city its due: it is such a beautiful, stunning and fascinating city that welcomes its guests so cordially that you even forget why you came here, because you didn’t want to go back at all.
How to get here?
The international airport is located 10 kilometers from the city center. This is where regular international and domestic flights land: from Spain, Portugal, Morocco. This time I was flying from Spain, where the international Conference for all of us journalists.
By the way, there are no direct flights from Russia. First you need to fly to the famous Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, take the train and come here to Lille.
Twice an hour high speed trains travel to Lille from Paris North Station. Travel time takes approximately an hour. And the fare ranges from 17 to 40 euros.
There is a second departure option - to fly to Brussels airport, which has a direct train connection with Lille. In just 40 minutes you can reach this enchanting city.
If you are going to travel here from other cities in France, you can get there from Lyon (travel time 3 hours), Marseille (travel time 4 hours), Bordeaux (travel time 5 hours), Strasbourg (travel time 3 hours) .
For your beloved Englishmen, there is a train connection with London: a train moves through the mysterious Channel Tunnel, the journey takes only an hour.
There are two large stations built in Lille: Flemish and European. They are located 400 meters from each other.
What attractions are worth seeing in Lille?
When I arrived from Spain in Lille, I was immediately struck by the atmosphere of the city: friendly people, half of the people generally wore colorful clothes, with a smile on their lips. For some reason, only here an atmosphere of calm was felt, no one was in a hurry, as can be seen in others European countries, where no one sees except business and money.
From this wonderful atmosphere I even stopped wanting to smoke, and I went for a walk around the unfamiliar city of Lille, the sights of which began to come across already at the first step.
Grand Place, which is named after the famous French figure Charles de Gaulle
In the city center of Lille is the famous Grand Place, which is named after the famous French figure Charles de Gaulle. Here, in the center, stands a tall statue of one goddess, which symbolizes the heroism of the city's inhabitants during the unstable situation in 1792.
The house where he was born is considered a landmark of the city. famous Charles de Gaulle. Today there is a museum in this house. But I didn’t go to the museum, because I don’t like all these boring things. Let's go further.
From the central square I walked and walked and suddenly found myself in the quarters of ancient Lille, where in the new restored quarters today you can see expensive boutiques and shops.
For people interested in history, ancient culture and the spiritual world of cities, there is one Museum of Fine Arts. This is the second leading museum after the Louvre in terms of size and wealth of all masterpieces European painting, ancient monuments, sculpture and ceramics. The map of Lille has a lot of museums and historical centers.
There are paintings in the museum famous artists– Rubens, Botticelli, Goya, Veronese. So you can calmly walk around, admire the paintings and enjoy real creativity.
When I stopped near the Paris Gate, I immediately understood why it is so famous.
The structure was built a long time ago, when you were not yet born, on the day of the victory of Louis the 14th and the return of Lille.
WITH right side there is a statue of Hercules, a symbol of stability and reliability, and on the left is a statue of Mars, the magnificent and famous God of War.
I even took a photo in front of the gate and moved on.
What is this city famous for?
Lille has captivated many people with its markets, especially the Braderie market in September, where you can buy everything from food to paintings and equipment. There is also a Christmas market.
The modern district of the city of Euralille, built relatively recently, is famous and is visited not only by city residents, but also by guests from all over the world. Even I visited him.
Do you know what feature this city has? Nowhere else can you ride a Segway as freely as here! I did a couple of laps on two-wheeled platforms with high handlebars. This is a Chinese novelty, as always. For half an hour of riding I paid 4 euros. And if you take a Segway for half a day, then you will have to fork out 14 euros. If it’s full, then 20 euros.
In France you can ride Segways on the Champ de Mars; there are also rentals at the Vlaams Station. Before you start riding, you go through instructions, and then you are given a permit that allows you to ride freely on such wonderful cars throughout France.
How's the weather?
Since I came here in the spring, I was very lucky. There was no rain, it was very dry, but cloudy. Sometimes the beautiful sun came out. What's the weather like in Lille?
In general, the weather in Lille is moderate, without any harsh winter or sultry heat.
I walked around the city in April, and it was +16 degrees. Of course, to prevent the breeze from blowing, I tied a scarf and kept it that way.
Taste local cuisine
Oh, if you only knew how full I was in the restaurants of Lille! It would seem that I didn’t arrive very hungry; I was fed well on the plane, and in the intervals between walks I grabbed either a hot dog or a hamburger.
But when I arrived at one of the restaurants in Lille, I couldn’t resist. Tasty, aromatic, elegant.
Lille is a friendly and generous city. As for the local cuisine, the portions here are large (you need to order one serving for two, and that will be a lot), for cooking gourmet dishes no one spares time and products.
The cuisine of Lille deserves close attention and worthy of attention. There are only three tables in the city's kitchen: Flemish carbonate (appetizing pieces of beef fried in beer), waterzoy (poultry served with sour cream with vegetables), potevleisch (jelly from different types of meat in a pot).
You can also enjoy a huge amount of beer of different varieties: tart, ginger, dark, light.
I would like to finally add that Lille is wonderful, fairytale city. Of course, you can’t get around it in one day. Try to find five days and plunge into this amazing atmosphere.
The choice of hotels in the city is quite large, for every taste. I stayed in the Au Clos Notre Dame apartment, I liked the convenient location in the city center and excellent reviews on Booking.com. I didn’t regret it - the apartments are quiet, there is a kitchen, the Internet works great.
Lille - a mysterious and fabulous French city - VIDEO
The old town in Lille is small but elegant. There are four museums here, one of which, the Museum of Fine Arts, is the second largest in France. Plunge into the amazing atmosphere of French Lille.
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Nicknames are an integral part Everyday life. We give nicknames to people, nicknames for animals, and come up with nicknames for ourselves, based mainly on the inherent qualities and traits of all. Cities are no exception; they also have nicknames.
There are several theories to explain this unusual name cities. Most often they say that it appeared due to the large number of musicians and all kinds of concerts and festivals in New Orleans.
Bucharest received this name mainly for its exquisite architecture and the elegance of the local elite. The capital of Romania is indeed smaller than Paris, but compared to other European cities it boasts the sixth largest population.
The lily is so important to Florence that it even became part of the city's official coat of arms. In fact, this is a stylized image of the Florentine iris, which was the insignia of the Frankish court, later the royal family of France, and even later, it appeared on the coat of arms of the Medici family. The lily petals symbolized the three pillars on which the state rests: devotion to the crown, valor in battles for it and the wisdom of kings.
Most populated city Canada for its long history has earned several nicknames, but the oldest of them is "Dirty York". It received such an unsympathetic name back when it was a small village, when there were no sidewalks on the streets, and the rain turned the road into an impassable swamp.
Switzerland is known for its armed neutrality and active participation in the development of peace processes. Geneva is especially different in this regard, where more than two hundred international organizations are located, including the Red Cross.
The Lion City is not just a nickname for the metropolis South-East Asia, but also a direct translation of its name. "Singa" means "lion" in Malay, and "pura" means "city".
With a population of over eight million people, Cairo is considered one of the most... big cities both Africa and the world. But his nickname, to put it mildly, sounds like an exaggeration. There are many more ancient cities in the world that can be considered the cradle of human civilization.
What is famous for the second largest city in Italy is that it is the birthplace of the main fashion brands and impressions. Armani, Versace, Prada, Dolce&Gabbana and many others famous names earned Milan his honorary title.
Most Big city Argentina, its capital, Buenos Aires, is another city that can be compared with Paris. It has one of the highest concentrations of theaters in the world, and the city amazes with its amazing architecture and rich historical heritage. That's all the explanation.
If most nicknames clearly exaggerate the advantages, then the second name of Prague definitely understates them. The capital of the Czech Republic is known for its enormous historical heritage, which includes not hundreds, but thousands of towers.
Australia's largest and most populous city owes its nickname to Port Jackson, one of the largest natural bays in the world. In addition, here are some of the most important attractions of the city - Opera theatre and Harbor Bridge.
With a population of just 300,000, Pittsburgh is the second largest city in Pennsylvania. It is called the Steel City because obvious reasons, there are more than three hundred companies here that are in one way or another connected with the steel business. In addition, it has another name, the City of Bridges, since approximately 450 of them were built throughout its territory.
The capital and the most locality Norway is often called the City of Tigers. It is believed that the name first appeared around 1870 thanks to the writer Bjornstjerne Bjornson, who perceived the city as a cold and dangerous place.
Initially, only the palace of the Chinese emperor, located in the center of Beijing, was called the forbidden city. Later the name spread to the entire city.
They say that the city received such a romantic name thanks to William Penn, an English Quaker, who saw Philadelphia as a place where all people, regardless of skin color or nationality, lived in peace and harmony. The name itself is translated from Greek: “philos” - love, “adelphos” - brother.
Those who have been to Barcelona do not need to explain the appearance of such a name. Spain's second largest city is home to most of the most famous works architect Antonio Gaudi.
With a population of 650 thousand, Siet is considered the most big city in Washington state. And it got its name thanks to the evergreen forests around and city parks. The second nickname - Jet City - is explained by the presence of the Boeing manufacturer here.
One of the most famous tourist cities in the Mediterranean, Dubrovnik received such a pleasant nickname for its numerous architectural and historical attractions. Sometimes it is also called Croatian Athens.
Tel Aviv has a population of 400 thousand and is the second largest city in Israel. It is known for its stormy nightlife and a fun atmosphere. In this regard, it is practically a brother to New York.
The city's population is more than 8 million people. This is the largest populated area in Iran, as well as in all of Western Asia. As an economically developed center, it attracted a huge number of immigrants, which is why it deserved its name.
The city got its name due to its close location to the mountains. Despite the fact that the population is only 150 thousand people, Grenoble is considered one of the most important scientific centers in Europe. And in 1968 he took Olympic Games.
Although there are few American cities that could lay claim to the title of "Big D", it is Dallas that deserves it. With a population of 1.3 million people, it is the ninth largest city in the United States.
This may be the oldest city name in this survey. In ancient times, the Romans thought that no matter what happened in Myrrh, no matter how many empires were born and fell, their city would exist forever. There's one more thing famous name near Rome - City on seven hills.
The capital of Hungary has received several original nicknames over its history: the Capital of Freedom, the Capital of Spa Thermal Baths, the Capital of Festivals, but in most guidebooks it is indicated precisely as the Pearl of the Danube.
Today, the proud name “Capital of Kings” for the Peruvian city is just echoes of history. Although this is exactly what the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro called it in 1535. He chose such a loud name because January 6, the day the city was founded, is celebrated as Kings' Day in Spain.
Italy is one of the most attractive countries for tourists because of its cultural riches and historical monuments seem endless. Each of the travelers chooses their own Italian city, but once they see the coat of arms and its beauty, they understand that this is the place where they definitely need to visit.
True beauty
The main official symbol of the city is a vivid reminder of the historical past, rich culture, masterpieces of painting, sculpture, and architecture.
The coat of arms of Florence can also be assessed from an artistic point of view; the main opinion of art critics is that it is impeccable. This also applies to the selection color range, and the selected symbols, and their compositional placement.
Firstly, there is an amazing harmony of colors - silver, chosen for the shield, and scarlet, for the main composition. However, scarlet has tones and shades, which makes the image seem three-dimensional and alive.
Secondly, the coat of arms depicts two graceful lilies that look royal, their stems, leaves and petals are gracefully curved. These flowers, a symbol of the monarchy, are located against the background of the crown, its side ends bent down. As experts in the field of heraldry explain, this is a kind of symbol of admiration for true beauty.
In the depths of history
Royal lilies are a symbol, first of all, of the Frankish court, representatives of the French royal dynasties. The image of flowers was present in various heraldic signs and coats of arms of representatives of the nobility.
Historians hint that thanks to the French king Louis XI, the lily flower first adorned the coat of arms of the Medici family, some of whose representatives more than once acted as rulers of Florence. Therefore, it is not surprising that the lily “grew up” on the official symbol of this city.
Symbolism of lilies
The main difference between the Florentine lilies depicted on the coat of arms of the capital and their French “colleagues” is that they have a different shape; these representatives of the royal flora are depicted at the peak of their heyday (not in buds). The city’s motto is always written next to them: “Like the lily in bloom, so Florence flourishes.”
The lily has been revered since ancient times, poets composed hymns and poems, and artists depicted it in their masterpieces. Hundreds of decorative patterns appeared based on this flower. The plant symbolizes life and death; many peoples associate the snow-white lily with purity and innocence, and the red one with wealth and fertility.
Today the world is worried about three main problems: global warming, the price of oil and the food crisis. We couldn't resist talking about the first point. Moreover, we came across such an elegant, if not glamorous, solution to the problem of flooding a decent part of the land.
In the twentieth century, the total rise in the level of the world's oceans was only ten centimeters, but for the current century, fifty centimeters are predicted! (But for this, it is enough for only 1% of Antarctic ice to melt.)
French architect Belgian origin Vincent Callebaut, already known to our readers, was imbued with the lamentations of environmentalists and decided to create Lilypad. He describes his brainchild simply: “a floating ecopolis for climate refugees.”
The “biotech” Lilypad will travel from the equator to the poles, following sea currents. Vincent says nothing about whether the amphibious city will be able to “stand” in one place or choose the direction of its movement (illustration by Vincent Callebaut).
The giant lily city is designed for 50 thousand inhabitants, the same “emigrants” who will flee the consequences of global warming with Mainland. True, according to forecasts of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an organization created by the UN in 1988, up to 25 million inhabitants of our planet may find themselves in the disaster zone. Therefore, Callebo did his best, planning the possible future of a significant part of the world's population.
Externally, Lilypad is very similar to the floating leaf of a water lily (namely, the largest of them - the Amazonian). Hence the name of the entire project, and even to some extent its internal structure.
In all its glory and in accordance with all standards. By the way, if you look closely, you can see three yacht marinas under the first tier (illustrations by Philippe Steels/pixelab).
What is such a large-scale “ship”? Of course, a mountain of electronics and entirely “green” solutions. Thus, the “double skin” of the structure is made of high-strength polyester fiber coated with a layer of titanium dioxide. The latter, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, decomposes air pollutants through a photocatalytic reaction.
To this we add solar panels, wind and tidal energy, the energy of the Earth's biomass, water purification using the phenomenon of reverse osmosis and phytopurification, and so on and so forth. All in all, full list. It is unlikely that Vincent thought through everything to the smallest detail. But the area (about 500 thousand square meters) will undoubtedly make it possible to plug into Lilypad any installations that will bring at least some benefit to the residents of the “ecopolis”.
“I took everything from nature,” Vincent Callebaut does not hesitate to admit to plagiarism. Well, let! The giant “descendant” of the lily will save the residents of New York, Bombay, Calcutta, Ho Chi Minh City, Shanghai, Miami, Lagos and Abidjan, Jakarta and Egyptian Alexandria (photo from vincent.callebaut.org).
Once afloat, the three-humped colossus will be stabilized due to ballast, which is actually a lagoon located in the center of Lilypad and filled with fresh water. It is completely immersed in the ocean and will collect and process rainwater. Well, let's take the author's word for it. We can only hope that rain can be “found” even in the arid regions of the planet (of course, if there are any left on Earth by 2100).
Idyll, and nothing more! About those close to perfect relationship nature is man and Callebo dreams (illustrations by Philippe Steels/pixelab).
According to Callebo, it is unlikely that giant amphibious cities will be created en masse on the planet before 2058, so we will focus on the beginning of the next century, for good measure.
So here it is. What else is interesting about this peculiar pool? Oh yes, it has a complex structure. On its surface, facing the ocean, there will be “gardens” of marine plants, and within the walls themselves people will live and researchers of marine flora and fauna will work.
According to the IPCC, Uruguay, Egypt, Holland, Bangladesh and Oceania will be the first to suffer from the “disaster strike”. This is how Callebaut sees 2058 in the Maldives (illustrations by Vincent Callebaut and Philippe Steels/pixelab).
A variety of living creatures and vegetation will also be located inside the ecopolis. Callebo suggests using numerous hanging gardens and farms. After all, the city will have to fully provide itself with everything necessary, which means that each Lilypad will be a small state with its own production, business and developed service sector.
It will not do without politics. She definitely won’t disappear even by the end of time! People will have to establish new rights and norms for those residents who will be scattered across “islands of hope” around the world, but this is the tenth question. Callebo, and even us, to be modest, is the least interested in this.
Bird's eye view. This is what Lilypad “families” would look like off the coast of Monaco (illustrations by Philippe Steels/pixelab).
There is another, much more interesting question. Wouldn't there be something like this? artificial earth too expensive? But no one knows this yet. In any case, there will be buyers, Vincent has no doubt, especially given the reduction in available housing space. And if they don’t become the greats of this world, then numerous advanced “green” ones will definitely tear off their apartments on Lilypad with their hands.
Vincent himself lacked the imagination to draw a night view of Lilypad, and his friend Philippe Steels from pixelab was happy to experiment on this topic (illustration by Philippe Steels).
Well. A self-sufficient island city is undoubtedly a good and necessary idea, but in reality investors, as a rule, are more interested in smaller-scale and slightly more realistic projects, for example
