Pyramids and ziggurats represent an oddly survivable form of architecture. Built by civilizations such as the Egyptians, Mayans and Babylonians, several of these testaments to ancient ingenuity are still standing after thousands of years. Timelinks, a design firm based in Dubai, has unveiled plans to make a pyramid of its own — one that could house a million people, feature an efficient vertically-and-horizontally-running public transportation system, and generate all of the energy it needs.
It may sound like just another concept that'll never be a reality, but Timelinks already set about patenting the design as well as the technology that would make it possible. The structure, nearly a whole square mile by design, would use a combination of steam, wind, and other alternative energy-gathering methods to keep itself entirely off the grid. There would also be "green spaces" that would provide the pyramidal city with agricultural space, to provide food and green-based commerce.
With so many designs out there for arcologies, it may be just a matter of time before the modern city is replaced by one of these carbon-neutral enclaves.
World Architecture News, via Inhabitat
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By Terminus at 10:49 PM ON 08/25/08
I doubt it would be sitting out there in the middle of the desert without some sort of surrounding structures.
By Zealot at 7:58 AM ON 08/26/08
It's amazing that the road would never get covered by sand-drifts, being in the middle of the desert and everything...
On a side note, Mayan refers to a facet of the Maya culture, while Maya refers to the people themselves.
By Lbug at 12:25 PM ON 08/26/08
Only in Dubai...
By Traveler at 12:57 PM ON 08/26/08
It reminds me of the old idea called an "arcology" - basicly an entire city in one structure. Very cool.
By unzealous at 1:15 PM ON 08/26/08
@Zealot
"It's amazing that the road would never get covered by sand-drifts, being in the middle of the desert and everything..."
Yeah, but being Dubai, they'll be wanting a high-speed suspended maglev monorail for that...
By Genesis at 9:15 AM ON 08/27/08
It reminds me of a PC Strategy game called "Perimeter", it looks similar to the floating cities that form the hub of your "base". A good game, google image it for some pics. :)
By GT at 9:25 PM ON 08/28/08
Its soooo shiny..... :0
By zac at 7:40 AM ON 09/15/08
Awesome, so cool, hope though that you get neighbours you like!
Must have a great security-system - against fire etc...
By Sinurate at 8:44 AM ON 11/10/08
Think about this way; society will never get around to it, we are all TALK if we were really worried about the enviroment then we would get off our butts and do it