The biggest problem is that the resources we have available are too minimal to power a city. If we take solar panels, for example, the average home would have to have 28 - 34 solar panels to power, according to energysage.com. As well, solar panels are expensive and the resources needed to make them are limited. However, I think that a mix of solar panels and wind turbines could power the city efficiently. That's not to say we would not use electricity, but we would make up for this usage in a multitude of bicycle lanes, and modern houses that are lit with natural light. The city would attract people because just like San Francisco there would be bicycles available to rent as a cheap way to explore the city.

Using bicycles as a form of transportation is a really effective mode of transport because it balances an effective rate of transport and an environmentally friendly solution. Solar panels are also becoming more cost effective and accessible, which  has led to a much wider range of home electricity production. As long as we can take advantage of the environmentally friendly electricity solutions then we will be able to manage our carbon footprint as a society.

All these ideas are great but you have to keep in mind that you can't just place solar panels on all households or build wind turbines easily. Even if these forms of production are becoming more cost effective they will still cost a lot, especially if we're talking about a citywide project.

Thank you for agreeing with me LeoK and JosueR, and that is exactly what I am saying. Solar panels and wind turbines are effective, but, in the past, have cost immensely more than conventional electricity. However, according to energysage.com, the cost of solar is dropping nationwide, not just in big cities, and they're tax deductible. Energysage even goes to prove that the lowest solar panels are .025 cents per Kilowatt hour, versus fossil fuels which are .05 cents per Kilowatt hour. LeoK, I like your point about the bicycles, but at some point, we have to ask ourselves is it enough. In response to my own question, no. Not all people are going to agree to own a bike, and so that is why developing better traffic solutions, and fuel-efficient cars are so important. To add on to the cities low carbon goal, this figurative city could invest money in carbon scrubbers, which are already implemented in airtight containers such as spacecraft, and can even be attached to car exhausts.

You are making some great points, another effective way to make this city more environmentally friendly is by setting up a large agricultural system which could produce healthy organic food and also largely reduce the carbon concentration in the area. I think that car transport is becoming much more advanced with new technology that absolutely blows many other transportation forms out of the water. These will play a vital role in creating an energy efficient city. I think that as long as we can keep advancing our technology regarding to energy we will see a dramatic increase in energy efficiency.