Arcosanti - Utopia?

A visit to the urban laboratory at Arcosanti, Arizona.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• utopia
• education
• political theory

[cantecleer]

@nathankoren -- I appreciate the clarification. However, in light of Michael Reynolds' thoughts on rain water collection ("Water from the Sky"), I still have a problem w/ using water from a river when rain water collection is ignored. Sadly, I just don't see the same utilization of passive systems that work *with* the earth and physics here as I do in Earthships. Manipulation of solar gain + thermal mass alone should alleviate the need for space heaters. Seem like it's more style than substance.

[nathankoren]

@cantecleer No, that's incorrect about the aquifer. Arcosanti is sited on the Aqua Fria river, which is the third largest river in Arizona. It draws its water from the underground flow of that river. All sewage is treated on site, and a portion of the food is produced on about 60 acres of fields and in some small greenhouses. There is some solar and wind micro-generation, but most electricity comes from the grid.

[cantecleer]

-- This seems a very ethereal undertaking. Aesthetically, it is beautiful. Conceptually, it is interesting. But, the slow pace of its completion coupled with some of the glaring oversights makes me a lot more skeptical.

I drive by Cordes Junction a lot and am an AZ native (but never been to Arcosanti or the smaller "lab" in the Phx Metro area). I will be going, but in my uninformed opinion, they have a LOT of ground to cover before achieving a coherent and functionally "sustainable" city.

[cantecleer]

-- I agree with some of your observations. Though a beautiful, compelling argument, the actual execution of the vision is questionable to me. There are just too many things that give me pause and make me really wonder how "sustainable" this is. Am I to understand that they are draining an aquifer as their primary water source? Did you see any evidence of rain-water collection (small or large scale) during the tour? Any information about power generation? Sewage treatment? Food production?

[agvulpine]

rated 5 for honesty. hopefully my visit will be more enjoyable, but i fully expect to feel like an outsider/tourist tramping on someone else's front lawn. but hey, they have a pool! hopefully the place eventually receives the funding they're looking for.