Friday Eye Candy: AI Envisions Solutions to the Challenges Facing Cities

Phoenix reimagined for shade. Los Angeles as a place where everybody walks. San Francisco with affordable housing. AI makes a vision of the future possible.

1 minute read

July 7, 2023, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


A futuristic reimagining of a D.C. street with green pathways and open waterways instead of car-filled streets.

Washington, D.C. “reimagined as a city with green rooftops, solar-paneled monuments, and a network of tree-lined, pedestrian-friendly boulevards.” | Midjourney

“[W]hat if we could reimagine the world’s cities unfettered by budgetary constraints, political roadblocks, or logistical challenges?”

That’s the question explored by a recent application of AI technology by Planetizen Founder Chris Steins on Medium. For example, the post imagines Los Angeles as a pedestrian’s paradise, Miami as a “resilient city designed to withstand rising sea levels,” and Cairo “as a high-tech city harmoniously blending with ancient ruins.”

According to Steins, the power of AI, in this case Midjourney, is more than speculation. “The power of AI lies in its ability to transcend human bias and conventional thinking, providing fresh perspectives on urban possibilities,” writes Steins. “In using AI, we can explore and visualize transformative urban solutions with unparalleled creativity and scale.”

The source article, linked below, includes many images with examples from the United States and abroad.

Tuesday, July 4, 2023 in Chris Steins via Medium

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

30 minutes ago - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

1 hour ago - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

2 hours ago - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.