Arcology

An arcology is a self-sustaining, self-contained community. The first arcologies were theorized by science fiction writers. They examined utopian and dystopian societies and imagined the types of cities necessary to sustain humanity in those situations. Futurist Paolo Soleri argued that such communities would have to be mostly self-contained and self-sufficient. They would have to be able to provide for all the needs of the people who resided within them. For this reason, Soleri argued that such communities would require indoor space for inhabitants to grow their own crops. He combined the words architecture and ecology, calling his theoretical creations arcologies.

Soleri personally tested his ideas with Arcosanti, a community built in the Arizona desert. Construction on Arcosanti began in the 1970s but slowed over time. The project was never completed. Other arcology projects have been planned around the world. One, in Russia, features a superstructure that would house thousands of people. Architects designed the structure to have an insulating skin, to help in Russian winters, that could be peeled away in the summer. Other planned arcologies include Masdar City in the United Arab Emirates and some of the research stations built for Antarctic scientists.

Background

Arcology traces its roots back to science fiction novels. Writers and futurists examined their ideas of utopian and dystopian futures and imagined how people would live in those worlds. In dystopian futures, writers imagined how civilization might survive if most of the world had ended. They also imagined futures in a variety of other oppressive environments, such as tyrannical governments or alien invasions. They imagined what cities that survived such extreme conditions might look like. Other futurists examined their ideas about utopian futures. Utopian futures are the opposite of dystopian futures. Utopians examine the idea of an ideal society and what those societies might include.

Some futurist engineers imagined that giant domes might cover cities. These domes would protect the city from the elements. In the 1960s, futurist architect Paolo Soleri began to imagine massive structures that would house cities. These structures would be self-sufficient environments housing more than a million people. Inhabitants would grow their own food within the structure, and the building would be large enough to create a controlled economy completely within its walls. Soleri’s designs are often regarded as the beginnings of arcology.

Overview

Arcology refers to the combination of architecture and ecology to create an independently sustainable community. These communities are often isolated from the rest of the world, allowing them to theoretically survive natural disasters or other civilization-ending events. Most attempt to form some type of utopian society.

Soleri, the originator of the idea of arcology, treated cities like living systems. He argued that cities would best thrive if all of their necessary parts were laid out in a convenient, efficient manner. He also wanted all of his arcology designs to be completely self-sufficient. For this reason, he planned cities as self-contained societies. They had agricultural areas designed to grow food, independent sources of power, and the means for an independent economy.

Soleri also insisted that his designs be convenient for the residents of his cities. He ensured that public spaces, living areas, and working areas were all located near one another. This would allow individuals to use walking as their primary mode of transportation. In cases where walking was impractical, Soleri believed that public transportation should allow residents to easily traverse the city.

In most cases, arcology requires a sustainable form of energy to function. Some architects plan to use solar energy as an independent, renewable energy source. Others plan to use specific construction techniques to reduce the energy needs of the city.

Arcosanti is one of the best-known arcology projects in the world. It is a project planned by Soleri himself. Arcosanti is located in the Arizona desert, roughly 70 miles (112 kilometers) away from Phoenix. The construction of Arcosanti first began in the 1970s. Although construction at Arcosanti was originally fast-paced and pushed forward by enthusiastic volunteers, the pace of construction slowed as time went on. The city was never finished, but thirteen structures were completed. The last completed structure on the site was finished in 1989. It accepts tourists and works to educate people on sustainability and arcology.

Another arcology project is Masdar City in the United Arab Emirates. Construction of the city began in 2006, with the first six buildings completed and occupied in 2010. By the 2020s, the city had around fifteen thousand residents. Designed to rely completely on renewable energy sources and produce as little carbon pollution as possible, the city utilizes wind and solar energy for power. It gets its clean water from a desalination plant and recycles resources like wastewater as much as possible. The project is designed to function as much on public transportation as possible, reducing the need for its residents to own cars. Though it had not fully achieved the zero-carbon targets it initially envisioned, by the 2020s the city included a mix of cutting-edge sustainable buildings and commercial spaces, continuing to grow and becoming a so-called "greenprint" for sustainable urban development that could be replicated elsewhere.

A structure called Crystal Island was an arcology project proposed for construction in Moscow, Russia, in the early 2000s. The structure was planned to be covered by a breathable skin to help with insulation. In the summer, the skin could be peeled back, allowing for greater ventilation. Like other contained societies, Crystal Island was to be fueled by renewable energy sources. The Crystal Island project, however, faced challenges brought about by the global financial crisis in 2009, and construction was delayed indefinitely.

Some experts consider the research stations located in the Antarctic to be micro-arcologies. These isolated locations are often entirely self-sufficient. They provide for all the needs of the researchers and scientists residing within them. Some research stations keep a full staff of technicians on hand, including mechanics, doctors, and engineers.

While arcology can help combat contemporary problems, such as urban sprawl and global climate change, economic, social, and technical barriers must be addressed before large-scale arcological communities are executed.

Bibliography

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