From: Corwyn J. Alambar (nettiger@best.com)
Date: Thu Sep 14 2000 - 12:14:35 MDT
Michael S. Lorrey wote:
> Brian D Williams wrote:
> >
> > From: "Michael S. Lorrey" <retroman@turbont.net>
> >
> > >Why? Arcologies are in actuality highly wasteful structures,
> > >demanding more resources per occupant than a more diffuse
> > >community.
> >
> > Huh? Got a URL to support this? Apartment buildings use much less
> > resources than individual houses.
>
> I guess the reasoning is that operationally they may be more efficient, but
> building them demands so much more design and labor work, as well as more
> expensive higher performance materials that the resources used to support that
> overwhelm those saved in the day to day operations. So long as building
> efficiencies discount savings beyond 10 years as much as they do, arcologies
> will always be negative impactors.
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)
-Corey
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