2024 Skyscraper Competition
Editors’ Choice
Hamed Ahaki Lake, Seyedeh Fatemeh Mirmousavi, Seyed Hooman Heravi Talemi, Vahid Nazari Kangavari
Iran
Imagine a towering skyscraper, not just a monument of glass and steel, but a living, breathing organism. This is the vision of future cities built within colossal skyscrapers, inspired by the human nervous system and constructed using 3D printers fed by recycled iron and plastic, this approach not only reduces reliance on virgin resources but also tackles the ever-growing problem of environmental pollution.
These “neuron-cities” are managed by a swarm intelligence inspired by Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (MHN) and William Glasser’s theory of choice (GTC), taking resident well-being to the forefront of urban planning. Imagine sprawling pathways resembling branching neurons, connecting various levels and sections of the skyscraper-city. These pathways will be designed to be multifunctional, all house, along with other facilities are located here, serving as residential, transportation arteries, communication channels, and even housing utilities like water and energy distribution.
There would be nodes as a central hub, functioning like a city plaza, bringing together diverse functions such as commercial, educational, entertainment, healthcare centers, and park spaces. Spaceframes, structures built from interconnected struts and nodes, provide a strong and flexible framework for these neuron-cities. This design allows for adaptability and modularity, enabling the city to evolve and expand based on the needs of its residents.
Inspired by MHN and GTC, an SI takes the reins. This collective intelligence gathers data from various sources like sensors, resident surveys, and activity logs within the city. Based on this data, the SI employs a “use it or lose it” principle. Areas that see consistent use will be maintained and even expanded upon, while underutilized spaces may be repurposed or even dismantled by the 3D printing technology, making way for new facilities or amenities desired by the residents.
GTC emphasizes the importance of choice and control. The SI, while guiding the city’s development, is not an authoritarian regime. Residents have the power to influence the direction of the city through polls, surveys, and direct communication channels with the SI. This ensures fostering a sense of ownership and community.
Imagine waking up to sunlight streaming through the transparent walls of your apartment. You step out of a cubic house, which is held by intersected rings horizontally, it is located in the pathways of the neuron city bustling network of pathways, surrounded by bushes interwoven into the structure. All city facilities are within the same building.
Just as the human nervous system relies on synapses, microscopic junctions where information flows between neurons, the neuron-city’s pathways will act as these connection points. Data, representing the city’s choices and needs, will flow through these pathways, enabling the SI to make informed decisions in real-time. Additionally, similar to how synapses can strengthen or weaken based on activity, the SI can dynamically adjust the functionality and capacity of the city’s various sections based on resident use patterns.
The modular and adaptable nature of the neuron-city design could be crucial for establishing a foothold on Mars. The 3D printing technology, coupled with the SI’s ability to optimize resource allocation, could enable the city to grow and adapt to the unique Martian environment. With further advancements in technology and resource extraction techniques, as well as rich sources of iron, building a neuron-city on Mars could become a crucial first step for humanity’s expansion into the solar system, paving the way for a future where humanity thrives not only on Earth but amongst the stars.
