City of the future: The giant glass pyramid that could house one million people



With its sharp angles and its glass walls shimmering in the sunlight it looks like a piece of modern art.

But this innovative design is actually a blueprint for the city of the future - a giant glass pyramid that could house up to one million people.

The development, named the 'Ziggurat', will be self sufficient and carbon neutral with power being supplied by wind turbines.

No cars will be allowed inside the 2.3 square kilometre building, with residents being whisked around by a monorail network which operates both horizontally and vertically.

The futuristic pyramid could provide homes for around one million people

Security in the city will be provided by biometrics with residents relying on facial recognition to enter their homes.

Dubai based designer Timelinks has already patented the design and technology incorporated into the project.

They have also applied to the European Union for a grant to carry out more work on the project.

Ridas Matonis, managing director of Timelinks, said the city would work by 'harnessing the power of nature.' He said: "Ziggurat communities can be almost totally self-sufficient energy-wise.

"Apart from using steam power in the building we will also employ wind turbine technology to harness natural energy resources.

The incredible building will be environmentally friendly with no cars, and will be powered by wind turbines

But it is not just about reducing the carbon footprint - the pyramid has many other benefits.

"Whole cities can be accommodated in complexes which take up less than ten per cent of the original land surface.

"Public and private landscaping will be used for leisure pursuits or irrigated as agricultural land.

"If these projects were realised today the world would see communities that are sustainable, environmentally friendly and in tune with their natural surroundings."