Tensile city

Tensile City is a story that provides the answer to the following question: II If we were to leap forward in time and visit a city of the future, what would learn about our contemporary city ? II The story unfolds when M.C., the main character, plans to undertake such a trek. The main reason for the trip is his thirst for knowledge, characterized by a dichotomy between logic and lust for adventure. He is inspired by a vision he had about a trip into outer space, where there existed a wondrous city -the ultimate example. Although the city in space represents a level that might never be reached on Earth, there was nevertheless something to be learnt: We have the means that will enable us to transform the urban environment in such a way that its physical framework allows it to function like a true three dimensional space. Just think of it! A city that practically has no limits in the ways it can grow. But still, there has to be a logical reason for it to exist ... At this point the other character of the story appears. His name is T.C. and he lives in Tensile City. He will provide M.C. with the proof that Tensile City is a worthwhile experiment and not just the result of M.C.'s lust for adventure. Therefore, T.C. will often be challenged to prove the validity of Tensile City. M.C. actually spends time in this city. He learns, among other things, that he is in no way qualified to be pan of it. In fact he tasted a vision of the future that was not a vision anymore, but reality: and that was scary ... In a letter to T.C., he agrees that Tensile City is indeed superior and-by all means - a logical solution to the issues that it addresses. Yet in his opinion, people -or cities- were not meant to live in this rigid way: the mental and the physical requirements are phenomenal. He set out to live a fantasy, instead he read an omen. In it he read a message that warned against creating an alarming imbalance in the ecosystem of life. Which in the long run, would require cities such as Tensile City. But is humanity prepared for it?

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Architecture.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

1987

Author dc:creator

• Chakkour, Mario Henri

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Dennis Frenchman.

• Architecture.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/72255

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/72255