MOUNT VERNON — Pulchra Oppidum, or Beautiful City, St. Vincent de Paul School’s entry in the 2013 Future City competition, placed fourth overall and received some special awards as well.
Located within a rain forest in South America, the multi-level metropolis is powered by hydroelectric and solar power as well as water turbines. The 90,000 residents keep in touch with each other through communication badges that produce holographic images, an advance on the smartphones of the 21st century. Everything in the city is reused or recycled, and permeable pavement on the sidewalks and roadways facilitate water runoff in the rainy season. A lighted waterfall is a major tourist attraction and other entertainment possibilities include sports, a casino and an IMAX-style cinema. Ferries and subways supplement the electric and solar-powered cars for transportation and drone “bees” patrol the city to keep citizens safe and secure.
The model city was designed and built by Matthew Brenneman, Keith Robinson, Alex Foster and Mark Fongheiser with the assistance of engineer mentor Joe Tapocsi. It was constructed of recycled materials and cost about $35 to build.
Contact Pamela Schehl
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