From: "Corwyn J. Alambar" <nettiger@best.com>
>You don't build an acrcology for a 10 year lifespan, however.
>Consider the average apartment building - the lifespan is 20-40
>years, on average, unless there is a dramatic defect. An arcology
>would be an organic structure, in that it would constantly be
>undergoing small and large changes over time.
>There is indeed an overhead in the form of increased planning and
>resource costs at the onset - you are basically front-loading a
>large chunk of your expenses at the beginning. But consider the
>externalized costs of the standard diffuse settlement: transit
>networks, vast road structures, and environmental impact of so
>much diffuse settlement acting as a heat source pouring excess
>heat intot he air above (an effect noted over urban areas such as
>Atlanta and Houston, where ambient air temperatures have increased
>markedly).
>There are certain types of efficiencies an arcology can add in a
>social context as well. But as long as people continue to believe
>the myth of "battleship" living, there will be no truly reasonable
>discource on arcologies, and they will continue to be simply an
>artistic and architectural curiosity, rather than being one of the
>msot efficient forms of habitation in difficult environments (It's
>easier to dme a single arcology than the homes of tens of
>thousands of people nt he traditional urban/suburban
>configuration)
There is alot of urban construction that mimics Arcologys. Here in
downtown Chicago we are seeing former office buildings being
converted to residential buildings, right in the core of the loop.
About the only thing missing is a common roof, and centralized
planning. (which may actually the weak link in Arcologies)
One building in the south loop is an Arcology mimic called
Rivercity. it is actually 2 "S" shaped buildings that are joined by
a common roof, yielding a large atrium in the center. The "Street"
is paved in old cobblestones and is designed after streets in
Paris.
Interesting...
Brian
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