At National Geographic, we’ve been covering the spectacular growth of the world’s urban areas. By 2050 nearly 70 percent of the world will live in cities, up from 55 percent today.

Dynamic skylines will continue to shift as countless new buildings rise. The challenge: Buildings account for 30 percent of the world’s greenhouse-gas emissions and consume 40 percent of global energy. But that’s beginning to change with a corresponding rise in green buildings, which consume less energy and water, along with providing a number of benefits for occupants. Read our primer on green buildings.

On National Geographic's Your Shot community, we asked members to show us how innovative buildings are creating a new look and a sustainable future for our cities.