Arcologies and Reality

[roseembolism]

So, I was doing a Google search of arcologies to look for ideas for Under the Green Moon, and I came across this quote by Paolo Soleri, the inventor of the Arcology concept.

"The problem I am confronting is the present design of cities only a few stories high, stretching outward in unwieldy sprawl for miles. As a result of their sprawl, they literally transform the earth, turn farms into parking lots and waste enormous amounts of time and energy transporting people, goods and services over their expanses."

I have to wonder if he considered that one of the main reasons cities are designed the way they are is the limitations of technology. A whole host of practical problems, ranging from load bearing architecture, to steel quality, to elevator technology had to be solved to make buildings above 10 stories feasible. And even for modern skyscrapers, the technology of elements like elevators and plumbing limit their convenience and utility beyond a certain height.

I suppose if there's an actual point here, its that there's a huge gap between interesting designs on paper, and actual physical accomplishment, and in the process, accommodations have to be made with reality.

Comments

[heron61.livejournal.com]

I think there's a lot of truth in this. While we could build large arcologies today, with our current tech, I'm far from certain that we could deal with fires or other seriously problems in any fashion that wouldn't leave open the possibility of mass death on a scale never seen in a conventional city (or at least any conventional city that wasn't carpet bombed). Of course, there are also social factors at work - an arcology could be a wondrous city of the future, or it could become a giant Cabrini Green, which is a rather horrifying possibility, and it's far from clear how we could definitely avoid that possibility.

In any case, in UTGM, I can easily see Lifemaker designed living arcologies, which would make the idea of living in one exceedingly appealing - an arcology that grows up and eagerly awaits occupants (perhaps literally, depending upon the level of volition and intelligence of the city-brain) would be a very popular place indeed.

the possibility of mass death on a scale never seen in a conventional city

[james-nicoll.livejournal.com]

This sort of scenario turned up at least twice in soc.history.what-if

Burnt Offerings: The Mile High Tower Seige of 1980

Oops of Fealty

Re: the possibility of mass death on a scale never seen in a conventional city

[roseembolism.livejournal.com]

I remember reading Oops of Fealty a while ago, which is odd, because I never read the original book. IIRC, it annoyed quite a few people.

The hazards presented by deliberate or accidental aircraft collisions obviously Weren't apparent to Soleri or any of the other Arcology proponents. And personally, I think arcologies have enough problems even without their high value as targets.

Re: the possibility of mass death on a scale never seen in a conventional city

[roseembolism.livejournal.com]

I just now read Burnt Offerings: scarily plausible, given that we're talking 1970s politics and Frank Lloyd Wright's work. Of course I'm not sure that even 1970s elevators and plumbing could have handled the skyscraper.

Re: the possibility of mass death on a scale never seen in a conventional city

[james-nicoll.livejournal.com]

I think in fact FLW envisioned a break-through in elevator technology (I really want to say "atom-powered elevators") as a precondition for the Mile High.

[roseembolism.livejournal.com]

Funny you should mention living arcologies, because I DID mention a few living structures of the Lifemakers still alive and in use. There's undoubtedly far more dead ones that are being used, though they are much less pleasant, and may be regarded more as mines than arcologies.

Which is why I find this picture from Anders Sandberg inspiring. I note the shape seems a bit more practical than most arcologies as well.