# Solar Cities Zero-Emission Babcock Ranch in Florida Models Eco Sustainablity By Katie Cordrey | Published 2009-04-15 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zero-emissions-solar-city-babcock-ranch-florida-eco-sustainablity-model References: [miamiherald](http://www.miamiherald.com/business/story/993255.html) The Babcock Ranch in Florida will be developed on 17,000 acres, include [19,500 residential units](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coach-house-collection), 6 million SF commercial space, and aspires to be a [net-zero emissions solar-powered city](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-normal-exihibition). The development is just a portion of a 91,000-acre parent property that was purchased by Syd Kitson and Morgan Stanley in 2006. According to [Hemisphere Real Estate](http://hemisphere.cc/highlights.htm), "Among the property’s assets are: an active rock mine with permits to mine until the year 2030; a 10,000-acre watershed that can pump 70 million gallons of freshwater per day; and a wilderness tour facility with approximately 50,000 visitors per year." Developers hope to make this a demonstration model for future developments throughout the country. Babcock Ranch will have an integrated ‘[smart grid](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/woven-city)’ that lets power users monitor and control their energy consumption. Subject to approvals, ground-breaking will take place in late 2009. See the *[Jocks as Eco Activists](http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jocks-turned-tree-huggers)* article for more information about the people behind the purchase of this property. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.4/10 - Popularity: 62% | Activity: 92% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Net-zero Emissions:** The focus on creating a net-zero emissions solar-powered city presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in sustainable infrastructure and clean energy technology. - **Smart Grid Technology:** Integrating a 'smart grid' into the city's design presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in energy monitoring and control systems, as well as the development of more efficient renewable energy storage solutions. - **Eco Demonstration Models:** The developers' goal to create Babcock Ranch as a model for sustainable future developments creates opportunities for disruptive innovation in sustainable urban planning and eco-friendly real estate development. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Sustainable Infrastructure:** The development of Babcock Ranch as a net-zero emissions solar-powered city presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in sustainable urban planning, green construction materials, and clean energy technology. - **Energy Monitoring and Control:** The integration of a 'smart grid' system into the city's design creates opportunities for disruptive innovation in energy monitoring and control systems, as well as the development of more efficient renewable energy storage solutions. - **Eco-friendly Real Estate:** The developers' goal to create Babcock Ranch as a model for sustainable future developments creates opportunities for disruptive innovation in eco-friendly real estate development, green construction materials, and sustainable urban planning. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Solar Powered Compact Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/e55000.md) - [Energy Efficient Housing Communities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coach-house-collection.md) - [Solar-Powered City Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/city-cars.md) - [Sustainable Future Venues](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/allelectric-stadium.md) - [Eco-Focused Family Housing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rewild-homes.md) - [Multifunctional Circular Housing Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eve-park.md) - [Sustainable Country Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/three-oaks-farm.md) - [Sustainable Solar-Powered Beers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oakham-sun-city.md) - [Sustainable Eco Towns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/telangana.md)