Arcology is a word coined by Paolo Soleri, an Italian architecture. It is the combination of the words "architecture" and "ecology" and is popular in recent years. This is a kind of building, with high human population density, sustainably supplying all or most of the resources we need for comfortable living and also reduce human impacts to environment at the same time. It can provide a large amount of sunshine, water, energy, food and suitable climate inside the architecture and limit the pollution to almost zero. It aims to provide all the resources by itself and reduce its impacts on nature as most as possible.
An arcology is like a city in a building but it's much more environmental friendly. It contains a variety of residential, commercial and agricultural facilities and advanced transportation system. It doesn't need connection to municipal or urban infrastructure to operate. It is a way to combat urban sprawl and the waste of energy. It highlights the importance of the use of social resources and the reduction of natural resources.
Arcology is an interesting term, but how does it differ from "sustainability"? There are a lot of "green" words in discussion today, and I am interested in how we make a word, such as arcology, distinct from more generic terms of green design.
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