Saori and I went to a really interesting public lecture at the library this Saturday on the topic of sustainable growth in Arizona. They had four Voices:
The Voice of Nature- a famous natural photographer for Arizona Highways Magazine, who talked about the beauty of the desert and the Southwest, and quietly lamented the disappearing vistas, and the developments in front of natural arches.
The Voice of Reason- A noted professor, John Meunier, presented several compact desert cities in the middle east, Africa, and India, and discussed what elements of urbanism could be adopted and adapted from them.
The Voice of Idealism- the venerated and ancient Mr. Arcosanti himself, Paolo Soleri, although he didn't actually talk much, he left his lecture in the hands of his translator and another architect from Arcosanti. His talk focused on high density linear city in the desert, a kind of city/wall/energy platform.
The Voice of Pragmatism- The head of Arizona Departmet of Motor Vehicles's rail division ended the conference with a discussion on the evolution of transporation in the southwest, and the potential for light rail in the valley, along with a discussion of public funding.
Short lectures, geared to the general public, under two hours long total, good event.
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2 comments:
Paolo Soleri would cringe at the world "ideal." He really sees himself as a realist addressing issues that we are facing with possible solutions. He hates being characterized with words like "ideal", "utopia", and "visionary."
I meant idealist in the sense that he seemed to hold in highest value the ideals of urbanism and ecology. After visiting Arcosanti, I would say that Soleri is more of an optimist then idealist.
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