The document analyzes results from a foresight game about 25 zones of future innovation. For the zone of "Living Infrastructures", the game generated ideas like using bioswales in slums to purify water, creating "green teams" to install renewable energy, and designing cities to meet human needs. Players also suggested merging nature with poor areas and using ecosystem services to alleviate poverty. The zone explores using living systems in urban planning and public health initiatives.

1. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
© 2013 Institute for the Future. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
March 2013
Foresight Engine Game Analysis:
25 Zones of
Future Innovation
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
A project by Institute for the Future and The Rockefeller Foundation
www.iftf.org/our-work/global-landscape/catalysts-for-change/catalysts-zones-of-innovation
Contact: Tessa Finlev, tfinlev@iftf.org

2. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
1 | Living Infrastructures
2

3. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
New urban planning strategies will focus
on living systems that evolve with us,
creating new infrastructures that take
advantage of biosystems and digital
technologies alike.
These urban design strategies often cost less
and are more easily built than the “hardscape”
solutions of the past. They lay the foundation
for new kinds of public health initiatives that
integrate human behavior change with
sustainable “living infrastructures.”
3© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
1 | Living Infrastructures | Future Innovation

4. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
Players challenged themselves by thinking about innovative solutions for
building healthy communities. Ideas included the use of bioswales, tracking the
health of the physical environment, and encouraging creative initiatives to promote
behavior change.
4© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
1 | Living Infrastructures | From the Players

5. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 5
Create “living infrastructure” in
poverty-zones to promote
health quality and
environment. i.e. bioswales in
slums to store/purify water?*
USA**
1 | Living Infrastructures | Micro-forecasts from the Game
*Cards have been lightly edited for readability
**Player location was self selected

6. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 6
1 | Living Infrastructures | Micro-forecasts from the Game
"Green teams" out of
unemployed and homeless.
They'll install all kind of green
stuff (wind power generators,
panel solar, urban agriculture)
Mexico
Create “living infrastructure” in
poverty-zones to promote
health quality and
environment. i.e. bioswales in
slums to store/purify water?
USA

7. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 7
1 | Living Infrastructures | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Create “living infrastructure” in
poverty-zones to promote
health quality and
environment. i.e. bioswales in
slums to store/purify water?
USA
"Green teams" out of
unemployed and homeless.
They'll install all kind of green
stuff (wind power generators,
panel solar, urban agriculture)
Mexico
Environmental and social
adapted cities, that take into
account basic human needs.
The Venus Project has some
super ideas on this.
Mexico

8. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 8
I think we should merge the
natural environment with poor
areas to increase value of
environmental i.e. bioswales to
store/pure water
USA
1 | Living Infrastructures | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Create “living infrastructure” in
poverty-zones to promote
health quality and
environment. i.e. bioswales in
slums to store/purify water?
USA
"Green teams" out of
unemployed and homeless.
They'll install all kind of green
stuff (wind power generators,
panel solar, urban agriculture)
Mexico
Environmental and social
adapted cities, that take into
account basic human needs.
The Venus Project has some
super ideas on this.
Mexico

9. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 9
1 | Living Infrastructures | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Urban concentration in arid
coastal areas of South
America requires more
emphasis in water
conservation and efficiency of
public utilities
Peru
Create “living infrastructure” in
poverty-zones to promote
health quality and
environment. i.e. bioswales in
slums to store/purify water?
USA
"Green teams" out of
unemployed and homeless.
They'll install all kind of green
stuff (wind power generators,
panel solar, urban agriculture)
Mexico
Environmental and social
adapted cities, that take into
account basic human needs.
The Venus Project has some
super ideas on this.
Mexico
I think we should merge the
natural environment with poor
areas to increase value of
environmental i.e. bioswales
to store/pure water
USA

10. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 10
1 | Living Infrastructures | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Create lots more urban "food
forests" like the one being
started in Seattle
England
Create “living infrastructure” in
poverty-zones to promote
health quality and
environment. i.e. bioswales in
slums to store/purify water?
USA
"Green teams" out of
unemployed and homeless.
They'll install all kind of green
stuff (wind power generators,
panel solar, urban agriculture)
Mexico
Environmental and social
adapted cities, that take into
account basic human needs.
The Venus Project has some
super ideas on this.
Mexico
I think we should merge the
natural environment with poor
areas to increase value of
environmental i.e. bioswales
to store/pure water
USA
Urban concentration in arid
coastal areas of South
America requires more
emphasis in water
conservation and efficiency
of public utilities
Peru

11. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 11
1 | Living Infrastructures | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Ecosystem services can play a
role in/help with poverty
alleviation.
South Africa
Create “living infrastructure” in
poverty-zones to promote
health quality and
environment. i.e. bioswales in
slums to store/purify water?
USA
"Green teams" out of
unemployed and homeless.
They'll install all kind of green
stuff (wind power generators,
panel solar, urban agriculture)
Mexico
Environmental and social
adapted cities, that take into
account basic human needs.
The Venus Project has some
super ideas on this.
Mexico
I think we should merge the
natural environment with poor
areas to increase value of
environmental i.e. bioswales
to store/pure water
USA
Urban concentration in arid
coastal areas of South
America requires more
emphasis in water
conservation and efficiency
of public utilities
Peru
Create lots more urban "food
forests" like the one being
started in Seattle
England

12. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 12
1 | Living Infrastructures | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Can we adapt and localize the
popular MythBusters media
model to address
misconceptions about health
and disease transmission?
USA
Create “living infrastructure” in
poverty-zones to promote
health quality and
environment. i.e. bioswales in
slums to store/purify water?
USA
"Green teams" out of
unemployed and homeless.
They'll install all kind of green
stuff (wind power generators,
panel solar, urban agriculture)
Mexico
Environmental and social
adapted cities, that take into
account basic human needs.
The Venus Project has some
super ideas on this.
Mexico
I think we should merge the
natural environment with poor
areas to increase value of
environmental i.e. bioswales
to store/pure water
USA
Urban concentration in arid
coastal areas of South
America requires more
emphasis in water
conservation and efficiency
of public utilities
Peru
Create lots more urban "food
forests" like the one being
started in Seattle
England
Ecosystem services can play
a role in/help with poverty
alleviation.
South Africa

13. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 13
1 | Living Infrastructures | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Incorporating green tech into
the infrastructure that is being
constructed in developing
countries.
India
Create “living infrastructure” in
poverty-zones to promote
health quality and
environment. i.e. bioswales in
slums to store/purify water?
USA
"Green teams" out of
unemployed and homeless.
They'll install all kind of green
stuff (wind power generators,
panel solar, urban agriculture)
Mexico
Environmental and social
adapted cities, that take into
account basic human needs.
The Venus Project has some
super ideas on this.
Mexico
I think we should merge the
natural environment with poor
areas to increase value of
environmental i.e. bioswales
to store/pure water
USA
Urban concentration in arid
coastal areas of South
America requires more
emphasis in water
conservation and efficiency
of public utilities
Peru
Create lots more urban "food
forests" like the one being
started in Seattle
England
Ecosystem services can play
a role in/help with poverty
alleviation.
South Africa
Can we adapt and localize the
popular MythBusters media
model to address
misconceptions about health
and disease transmission?
USA

14. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 14
1 | Living Infrastructures | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Maybe a contest to design the
coolest looking, most
aesthetically-pleasing
phosphorescent plant to light
dark streets of neglected
places
USA
Create “living infrastructure” in
poverty-zones to promote
health quality and
environment. i.e. bioswales in
slums to store/purify water?
USA
"Green teams" out of
unemployed and homeless.
They'll install all kind of green
stuff (wind power generators,
panel solar, urban agriculture)
Mexico
Environmental and social
adapted cities, that take into
account basic human needs.
The Venus Project has some
super ideas on this.
Mexico
I think we should merge the
natural environment with poor
areas to increase value of
environmental i.e. bioswales
to store/pure water
USA
Urban concentration in arid
coastal areas of South
America requires more
emphasis in water
conservation and efficiency
of public utilities
Peru
Create lots more urban "food
forests" like the one being
started in Seattle
England
Ecosystem services can play
a role in/help with poverty
alleviation.
South Africa
Can we adapt and localize the
popular MythBusters media
model to address
misconceptions about health
and disease transmission?
USA
Incorporating green tech into
the infrastructure that is being
constructed in developing
countries.
India

15. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 15
1 | Living Infrastructures | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Create “living infrastructure” in
poverty-zones to promote
health quality and
environment. i.e. bioswales in
slums to store/purify water?
USA
"Green teams" out of
unemployed and homeless.
They'll install all kind of green
stuff (wind power generators,
panel solar, urban agriculture)
Mexico
Environmental and social
adapted cities, that take into
account basic human needs.
The Venus Project has some
super ideas on this.
Mexico
I think we should merge the
natural environment with poor
areas to increase value of
environmental i.e. bioswales
to store/pure water
USA
Urban concentration in arid
coastal areas of South
America requires more
emphasis in water
conservation and efficiency
of public utilities
Peru
Create lots more urban "food
forests" like the one being
started in Seattle
England
Ecosystem services can play
a role in/help with poverty
alleviation.
South Africa
Can we adapt and localize the
popular MythBusters media
model to address
misconceptions about health
and disease transmission?
USA
Incorporating green tech into
the infrastructure that is being
constructed in developing
countries.
India
Maybe a contest to design the
coolest looking, most
aesthetically-pleasing
phosphorescent plant to light
dark streets of neglected
places
USA
Employment and income
generating opportunities for
poor people. Example: tourism
lodges adjacent to national
parks
South Africa

16. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 16
1 | Living Infrastructures | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Create “living infrastructure” in
poverty-zones to promote
health quality and
environment. i.e. bioswales in
slums to store/purify water?
USA
"Green teams" out of
unemployed and homeless.
They'll install all kind of green
stuff (wind power generators,
panel solar, urban agriculture)
Mexico
Environmental and social
adapted cities, that take into
account basic human needs.
The Venus Project has some
super ideas on this.
Mexico
I think we should merge the
natural environment with poor
areas to increase value of
environmental i.e. bioswales
to store/pure water
USA
Urban concentration in arid
coastal areas of South
America requires more
emphasis in water
conservation and efficiency
of public utilities
Peru
Create lots more urban "food
forests" like the one being
started in Seattle
England
Ecosystem services can play
a role in/help with poverty
alleviation.
South Africa
Can we adapt and localize the
popular MythBusters media
model to address
misconceptions about health
and disease transmission?
USA
Incorporating green tech into
the infrastructure that is being
constructed in developing
countries.
India
Maybe a contest to design the
coolest looking, most
aesthetically-pleasing
phosphorescent plant to light
dark streets of neglected
places
USA
Employment and income
generating opportunities for
poor people. Example:
tourism lodges adjacent to
national parks
South Africa

17. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
Signals from the Present
17
1 | Living Infrastructures

18. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 18
Living bridges made by the people
of Nongriat in Meghalaya, India are
resistant to the region’s heavy
rainfall and flash floods.
Philips’ Microbial Home
Philips’ microbial home uses a
methane digester that converts home
waste into power for the entire house.
1 | Living Infrastructures | Signals from the Present
Living Bridges
Image Source:
http://www.design.philips.com/philips/sites/philipsdesign/about/design/designportfolio/desi
gn_futures/bio-digester_island.pageImage Source:http://www.architizer.com/en_us/blog/dyn/29362/living-
infrastructure/#.USmyRVp4YyS

19. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 19
Seattle’s Beacon Hill Food Forest
contains edible plants. It is designed to
mimic a woodland ecosystem able to
produce high yields of food with
minimal maintenance.
Urban Air
Urban Air is a successfully funded
Kickstarter Project worth $100,000
that seeks to build globally
connected urban forests that float
above roads.
1 | Living Infrastructures | Signals from the Present
Food Forests
Image Source: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1045021696/urban-air-los-angelesImage Source: http://beaconfoodforest.weebly.com/
A project by Institute for the Future and The Rockefeller Foundation
www.iftf.org/our-work/global-landscape/catalysts-for-change/catalysts-zones-of-innovation

20. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
© 2013 Institute for the Future. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
March 2013
Foresight Engine Game Analysis:
25 Zones of
Future Innovation
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
A project by Institute for the Future and The Rockefeller Foundation
www.iftf.org/our-work/global-landscape/catalysts-for-change/catalysts-zones-of-innovation
Contact: Tessa Finlev, tfinlev@iftf.org