arcology
Enclosed urban ecosystem
An arcology is a massive, self-contained structure designed to house an entire community—combining architecture and ecology.
The concept envisions buildings or complexes large enough to function as cities, with residences, workplaces, and life-support systems integrated to minimize environmental impact.
Arcologies appear frequently in science fiction as futuristic urban solutions: The dystopian megacity was divided into towering arcologies.
The term was coined by architect Paolo Soleri in the 1960s; his experimental Arcosanti project in Arizona remains the most famous attempt to build one.
Urban area exceeding ten million
- metropolisLarge important city
- urbanizationPopulation shift toward cities
- sprawlExtend in disorderly fashion
- densityMass-to-volume ratio
zoning · infrastructure · conurbation · cityscape · downtown · civic · plaza · transit
Massive artificial construction
- superstructureConstruction above the base
- self-containedWhole without external parts
- enclosedSurrounded and sealed within
- domeRounded vault forming roof
mixed-use · modular · climate-controlled · pedestrian · walkable · car-free · sky garden · atrium
Dystopian tech-noir fiction
- utopiaImagined perfect society
- dystopiaImaginary terrible society
- science fictionSpeculative fiction with technological themes
- megastructureMassive artificial construction
Blade Runner · solarpunk · generation ship · biodome · Asimov · speculative · futurism · worldbuilding
Interconnected organisms and surroundings
- biosphereAll life on Earth
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- closed ecosystemSelf-sustaining isolated environment
- symbiosisInterspecies biological interdependence
microclimate · habitat · flora · fauna · conservation · integrated · balanced · carrying capacity
People living somewhere
- inhabitantsPermanent occupants of place
- collectiveJointly organized group
- communeShared-living community
- cooperativeJointly operated enterprise
cohousing · social · interaction · civic · assembly · self-governing · neighborhood · population
Capable of restoration
- energy-efficientUsing minimal power
- eco-friendlyNot harming the environment
- solarOf the star
- windAir current outdoors
geothermal · recycling · closed-loop · zero-waste · carbon-neutral · self-sufficient · permaculture · green building
megacity
Urban area exceeding ten million
- metropolisLarge important city
- urbanizationPopulation shift toward cities
- sprawlExtend in disorderly fashion
density · zoning · infrastructure · conurbation · cityscape · downtown · civic · plaza · transit · pedestrian
megastructure
Massive artificial construction
- superstructureConstruction above the base
- self-containedWhole without external parts
- enclosedSurrounded and sealed within
dome · mixed-use · modular · climate-controlled · pedestrian · walkable · car-free · sky garden · atrium · interconnected
cyberpunk
Dystopian tech-noir fiction
- utopiaImagined perfect society
- dystopiaImaginary terrible society
- science fictionSpeculative fiction with technological themes
megastructure · Blade Runner · solarpunk · generation ship · biodome · Asimov · speculative · futurism · worldbuilding · terraforming
ecosystem
Interconnected organisms and surroundings
- biosphereAll life on Earth
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- closed ecosystemSelf-sustaining isolated environment
symbiosis · microclimate · habitat · flora · fauna · conservation · integrated · balanced · carrying capacity · biome
residents
People living somewhere
- inhabitantsPermanent occupants of place
- collectiveJointly organized group
- communeShared-living community
cooperative · cohousing · social · interaction · civic · assembly · self-governing · neighborhood · population · shared spaces
renewable
Capable of restoration
- energy-efficientUsing minimal power
- eco-friendlyNot harming the environment
- solarOf the star
wind · geothermal · recycling · closed-loop · zero-waste · carbon-neutral · self-sufficient · permaculture · green building · vertical farming
arcologysuburban sprawl
Unplanned outward residential development
urban sprawl · exurbia · tract housing · bedroom community · commuter suburb