Abstract:
This research-based thesis is investigating the universal experience and arcology of cities as it relates to sustainability. Research indicates there are certain fundamental characteristics that concretize each city. For this research paper, case studies were conducted to: 1) identify the universal experience of cities, 2) identify how social order affects the physical design of arcology, and 3) provide best practices for future planning and development. Case studies were used to identify fundamental characteristics of early cities in Mesopotamia and Europe. Following previous research done by Joel Kotkin, Spiro Kostof, the United Nations, and Paolo Soleri these findings were extracted: 1) cities must have a central identity from which to direct their vision and development, 2) physical form and social order affects one’s experience of a city, and 3) a city’s form and social order directly contributes to its sustainability.
