Buzz
The connection between humanity and nature has always been complex. From the distant days of hunter-gatherers to today, we’ve depended on the wealth of resources provided by the environment. As most of us have shifted to indoor office work, the need to engage and coexist with nature has never been more pressing. Here are ten places around the world where people and nature live together in perfect balance.
10. Mesa Verde and the Anasazi
The first on our list is a unique example. Mesa Verde, while no longer a populated town, is now a national park that protects hundreds of species native to the mesa, as well as the ruins of the Anasazi, who once thrived in harmony with their environment in this area.
The ancient villages and cities of the Anasazi were integrated into the mesa, creating stunning views. Like many Native peoples, the Anasazi were experts in living peacefully with nature. They had a profound respect for the environment and focused on living in harmony with it, believing that such a way of life would lead to better health—a belief that continues to be valued today.
9. Denver, Colorado
Situated on the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains, Denver began as a modest mining settlement during the Pike's Peak gold rush in the mid-1800s. Known as 'The Mile-High City' because of its altitude, one mile above sea level, Denver has blossomed into its own county and serves as the capital of Colorado.
Famous for its world-class ski slopes and its appearance in the game Horizon: Zero Dawn, Denver also boasts numerous green spaces. In the spring and summer, aerial views of the city showcase a vibrant, green landscape encircling a small cluster of skyscrapers. Denver is home to over two hundred parks and green areas, with the largest being City Park, which spans an impressive three hundred and fourteen acres. This park is a residential neighborhood enveloped by even larger parklands. Beyond the city, Denver provides access to countless trails, national parks, and mountain peaks, making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
8. The Modern-Day Curwood Castle
Curwood Castle seems like it stepped straight out of a fairytale. The home of James Oliver Curwood, a novelist known for his action-adventure tales from the early twentieth century, it is a miniature castle complete with flagstones, towers, and turrets, embodying the author's love for the fantastic.
Perhaps even more striking than the castle itself is its setting. The castle is situated in the heart of a small park, surrounded by trees along the banks of the Shiawassee River in Owosso, Michigan. This tranquil spot would have been the ideal retreat for an author seeking inspiration from nature. It has been meticulously preserved and now functions as both a museum and a public park.
7. Chautauqua Lake, New York
The Chautauqua Lake area in New York is a picturesque blend of quaint towns and lush forests. Just an hour and a half away from Niagara Falls, Chautauqua Lake was originally utilized for ice mining during the cold winters of upstate New York. Miners would cut large blocks of ice from the frozen lake and pack them into wagons to be distributed across New England.
Though ice mining is a thing of the past, much of the region remains untouched. The towns are nestled among the forest's clearings, and buildings are placed wherever space allows. In the summer, special events draw both locals and visitors out into the wilderness, while in the winter, the frozen lake is used to create stunning ice sculptures. One of the highlights of this area is the abundance of wildlife. It's common to see deer and other forest creatures approach people (we even have three deer who reside near our house, occasionally stopping by to greet us). The only way to make this place more like a fairy tale would be if a castle were nearby—perhaps Curwood Castle could be moved here?
6. The Ruralization of Chicago, Illinois
Situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago is the third-largest city in the United States, with no signs of its growth slowing down. Despite enduring the devastating Great Chicago Fire, the city has bounced back remarkably.
This resurgence is most evident in the city’s Green Healthy Neighborhoods initiative. In recent years, Chicago has undertaken renovations of its older, less secure neighborhoods with the ambitious goal of transforming them into a vast thirteen-square-mile expanse of parks, farms, and trails. The transformation is well underway, and the city's vibrant green spaces are becoming more visible as a result.
5. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is older than many places on this list. Originally settled by farmers millennia ago, it has grown into the capital of the Netherlands, drawing people from all corners of the globe.
Amsterdam’s relationship with nature is perhaps more evident than in many other cities. Notably, many of its streets are made of water. The city's iconic canal system is the result of careful planning during times of high immigration. Additionally, the streets are lined with lush trees, and numerous parks, including Vondelpark, the largest green space in the city, offer a place of natural beauty. Millions of visitors flock to these serene spots, making Amsterdam a city deeply connected to its natural environment.
4. Central Park, New York City
When thinking about places where nature and people harmoniously coexist in the U.S., New York City’s Central Park often comes to mind. This expansive green space starkly contrasts with the towering office buildings and skyscrapers that encircle it, offering a serene natural canvas amid the man-made steel and glass structures.
Stretching two and a half miles long, half a mile wide, and covering over seven hundred acres, Central Park attracts millions of visitors annually, making it one of the most visited locations in the United States. Within the park’s lush landscape are a variety of attractions, including a mall, a castle, numerous taverns, and even a zoo. It is truly a marvel where people and nature coexist in perfect harmony.
3. The Blended Urban Forest of Singapore
The island city-state of Singapore is perhaps the most eco-conscious city on the planet. While many places in Singapore could have made this list, such as its massive airport, which houses a zoo, a vast park, and an enormous man-made waterfall, we will focus on the entire city itself as a singular example of nature and urban life blending seamlessly together.
Everything about Singapore’s modern city design aims to enhance the environment, from its meticulous planning decades in advance to the strategic placement of blocks, streets, and parks. A lot of new buildings are draped in greenery, with efforts ongoing to expand these green spaces and preserve the natural environment and wildlife. The city's agricultural practices have also undergone a revolution, with farms now taking the form of vertical, indoor structures. Few places are as closely integrated with their environment as Singapore.
2. Auckland, New Zealand
As any fan of *The Lord of the Rings* will attest, New Zealand is a breathtaking country. Expansive grasslands stretch across rocky hills and through forests, leading right to the shores of Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. Founded by the Maori and later joined by the British, Auckland was once the capital before Wellington, and today, it is a vibrant melting pot of cultures, providing a gateway to the natural wonders of New Zealand.
In addition to the stunning nearby hills, Auckland is situated on the Auckland Volcanic Field, an area of dormant volcanic points that have been inactive for thousands of years. The Maori utilized many of these mountains, known as “maunga,” as fortifications. Some of the remaining maunga have been preserved and integrated into the city as parks and monuments, offering a unique way to blend nature with urban life.
1. The Majesty of 25 Verde
25 Verde is almost like a miniature village, blending a building, garden, and art into one remarkable space. Situated in Milan, Italy, the creation of Luciano Pia, a master at harmonizing the natural with the artificial, this structure was designed to bring the nearby hills into the urban landscape, offering more greenery to the city. Pia’s vision was realized beautifully.
The 25 Verde complex is a three-sided, boxy apartment structure encircling a lush, elevated park. Its terraces and available surfaces are adorned with trees, flowers, and greenery, while the building’s design incorporates green hues and rust-colored steel to blend seamlessly with nature. The live plants work together to absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, transforming the building into a living filter for Milan, the home of Fiat. With proper care, it is a structure that promises to thrive for many years.
