In the 1970s, an enterprising WWII veteran named Leon Smith envisioned a combination restaurant, shopping center, and hotel in the shape of a giant igloo in Alaska. Alone and by hand, he constructed the massive dome structure out of wood and covered it with urethane foam. Tragically, his vision was never fully realized.

If you like this, check out my other pictures on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/whimsicalruins/

OC https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUOSgezgoyn/

"Urban Planning in the 3rd Dimension:

How do you move 80,000+ people daily through a narrow valley already packed with a river, a highway, and dense housing?

Wuppertal found the answer back in 1901: The Schwebebahn.

While modern cities are struggling with "induced demand" and the nightmare of widening roads, this 120-year-old suspension railway proves that efficiency lies in utilizing space that's already there.

Why it's a planning masterpiece:

1. Zero Road Space: It operates entirely above the Wupper river and existing streets.

2. Grade Separation: No traffic jams, no intersections, just constant flow.

3. Sustainable Legacy: Proof that bold, long-term sustainable infrastructure beats "quick fixes".

Ofcourse, it has some minor disadvantages like Inflexibility, Maintenance & Noise, but the aesthetic value & the Whimsical Wonder this thing inspires is quite breathtaking"

📸 Dr. Philip de Pous (@vive.earth)