Arcology refers to a set of architectural design principles for enormous habitats (hyperstructures) of extremely high human population density. These "arcologies," would contain a variety of residential and commercial facilities. They are intended to minimize environmental impact, and to be self-contained or economically self-sufficient.
The word is taken from "ecology" and "architecture," and has been popularized by architect Paolo Soleri.W
Related concepts
- Transition Towns and Resilient communities are also responses to the sustainability crises we face, but less radical (thus more applicable, at least in the short term).