The local electric train systems are linked regionally as are local sections of bike and footpaths. Similarly, sections of stream rescued from culverts and open concrete channels are linked as linear parks and forests along stream belts. As forest patches are always changing in response to episodes of wind, fire, disease, and human disturbance, urban patches change in response to emerging social and demographic conditions and expanding ecological consciousness. The successful evolution of an eco-city will depend on our developing an understanding of the ecological systems that we live with and how we need to relate to them, and on our willingness to act on that information. These are sometimes viewed as separate and even contradictory, but are now merging in the overarching vision of sustainability.
Social justice is the gateway to sustainability.
Mutual trust and cooperation between neighbors will be essential. Secondly, an eco-city requires a coalition of businesses capable of responding to, serving, and generating new enlightened consumers. The tasks will include reweaving the urban fabric along ecological lines, and planning and building the new urban infrastructures. These businesses will be synergistic. For example, a gray water plumbing retrofit business needs another business to produce a non-toxic detergent.