One key concept from Tulum is the importance of integrating nature into the built environment. New developments in the area feature extensive green spaces, rooftop gardens, and wildlife corridors. This approach helps mitigate the urban heat island effect, provides habitat for pollinators and other species, and creates more pleasant, livable spaces for residents and visitors. This could benefit cities like Toronto that are seeking to enhance urban biodiversity and create more sustainable, resilient communities.

Another Tulum innovation is the use of alternative energy sources. Many hotels and homes rely on solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal systems rather than conventional grid power. This reduces the area’s carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels. Replicating this renewable energy model in Toronto could help the city work towards its net-zero emissions goals, while also reducing energy costs for businesses and residents.

The Tulum approach also emphasizes preserving and restoring natural ecosystems. New developments are carefully sited to avoid encroaching on sensitive habitats, and efforts are made to rehabilitate degraded areas. This contrasts with typical urban sprawl, where natural lands are cleared to make way for homes, roads, and commercial spaces. Applying this ecological lens to development could help Toronto better protect the ravines, wetlands, and other green spaces that are vital to the city’s environmental health.