A New Vision Needed: Part II

Part Two:.

As we discussed in the first part of this series, the view we have adapted in this enterprise tends to view all the challenges not piecemeal but as part of the entire problem of serving the diverse needs of the individual necessary for not only survival but a quality of life. Among such defined needs are protection, access to energy resources, two way communications, interconnectedness with the community, basic services such as food and water and other objective needs some of which are yet to be configured into the overall matrix. In effect, we are suggesting a new paradigm that says we don’t have to accept something if we don’t think it works or works well enough; or that we are necessarily mandated to accept systems, technology or process just because it was done that way before. In the end it is a zero sum game that provides optimum latitude to solve the problem rather than the appearance of the problem ,

The unifying element becomes the need for a new conceptual approach that not only provides a context for living but takes into account the challenges that living infers in the natural world. Once we make that quantum leap, we can mentally transcend conventional notions of wood and stone housing that has failed so miserably in facing up to the unpredictable forces of wind, rain and flooding.. As part of this transformation in thinking, we are no longer limited to the choices of materials; nor are we confined to a limited number of designs; instead, we can apply more innovative thinking that begins with the needs of the individual to not only survive but enjoy a quality of life. The beginning iteration of the home assumes a shape roughly akin to a type of windmill designed to better survive high force winds and the application of new materials, such as high strength, light-weight metals, that would not be defeated by water or wind. Gary also perceives that the structure would benefit from incorporating its own electricity generators powered by large wind fans.

Gary’s concept, once accepted, allows one free reign to expand on the basic brilliance inherent in the original idea.. . In my extrapolation, I tend to see Gary’s open conception as a stepping stone for broadly enhanced visions. In a personal iteration, the windmill concept becomes larger and more expansive serving to unite a community by joining it with three other windmill designs to form a very stable integrated community, connected and inter-dependent with a capacity for “sharing” in order to stave off the potential large scale effects of a Nature that is largely unpredictable or the possibility of a terrorist threat..

The four windmill iteration, which I refer to as a hub, may be joined to other “hubs” through a networked system that would allow for a city to be formed that would offer many inherent safeguards against rain, wind or even terrorist threats in much the same way as a child’s Tinkertoy game might be expanded and enhanced by adding parts; in the process, the expansion of the hub system adds rigidity and strength to the overall system, providing enhanced stability and resiliency against most anticipated threats or challenges..

. In my own particular conception, additional strength is gained from an integrated skeletal structure that allows the “upper” windmill design to be extended vertically through a series of five concrete legs that not only provide a base but a platform to enhance stability through greater load distribution. As envisioned, each of the “hubs” would be integrated through a series of elevated walkways which serves as connective tissue to keep residents connected in a viable way.

The living portion of the individual hubs would begin above 25 feet, above the high water marks set by previous floods. Under the proposed scheme, the walkways would be powered internally in a way that allows them to be elevated to various levels in the event of rising tides; a clear central tubular core in each of the hub units would also allow a method for staying interconnected in a very real sense. Inside the core would be both stairs and elevators that could be stopped at various levels to either load or unload passengers. The core would be sealed against water damage; to reach the lower levels under normal conditions would involve changing from the central core to other elevators….In the event of a disastrous flood, the lower level elevators could be shut off without affecting the central core and the central elevator system. Walkways would provide an exit to lower levels.

In my conception, each of the windmill designs would be mega-structures capable of containing a small community of anywhere from 100-500 families.. To envision the concept, imagine a variety of circular shapes, similar to cakes each representing a floor or level of the structure stacked on top of each other to form a giant structure.. Each of those cakes, then would be sliced into “wedges” or apartment sized areas joined through the central core. Ancillary stairwells would provide additional means of reaching each floor.

The central core which would allow a means for members of the community to congregate in “apartments” left vacant for that purpose; accessibility to the core would also provide a means of egress to flotation devices and inflatable boats sequestered at various levels for easy egress should that become necessary. Other means of evacuation would involve the placement of protected helicopter pads at various levels of the mega-structure.

To meet the demands for water that would begin early in any disaster scenario, each of the structures would also contain reservoirs that would catch rain fall and a small desalinization plant that would provide adequate water supplies.

Power could be linked between grids so that various units comprising the various ‘hubs’ could share reserves.

In this design, every so many levels would also allow facilities for storage purposes exclusively; thereby allowing for the storage of emergency supplies, such as food, medication, health care needs, that could be gathered in advance for any such contingency.

In other words, the hubs would be virtually self-sufficient under the worst of circumstances allowing the inhabitants to survive until aid might be forthcoming.

As configured, each of the mega structures forming the units of the hub would contain satellite communications thereby making it possible to stay in touch through any kind of hypothetical threat, whether weather related or terrorist.

An integrated level allocated to classes would allow children to continue to get their education even if it was impossible for them to travel to a formal school. News and educational materials would be piped in via a satellite system so that there would always be a connection between the community and each of the hubs and the government outside. People would never feel isolated in a hub design.

Temporary aid stations would be located at convenient locations in and around the hub locations should the need become necessary.

Although the design and construction of such units might some prohibitive because of the innovations and features they contain, one must be remined that mass manufacturing techniques could be employed in building the interior unit apartments. And that each hub design would contain upwards of 500 families. By repeating the model over and over again, the community and the state would benefit from the economics of scale and the low failure rates.

These are simply a few ideas showing the promise of going beyond the conventional thinking of years’ past and finding new ways to not only provide housing but a means of survival that will stand up to most threats.

In addition, the government must explore other ideas and venues that will provide much needed housing for all of those below the poverty level. The failures of our government to respond to the demands of the needy is not comprehensible in view of the fact that is now capable of manufacturing permanent shelters like automobiles at high rates and low prices. The promise of such shelters was demonstrated in Canada’s Man and His World many years ago; yet, we have failed to follow through on the promise of manufactured housing. We also need to rethink how to store and distribute aid packages; we need to think about alternative energy sources; and we need to think about intangibles like distribution and storage and, mostly, under such conditions of stress, we need to think about a plan that lays out all contingencies in clearly identified steps that will eliminate the kind of death and disaster we recently experienced with Katrina.

There is much work to be done. The question: Whether the government will recognize these needs as more than prosaic. And whether they can rise to the occasion and deal with the challenges from a visionary perspective.

Time will tell.

Les Aaron

Visit the SuperBlog: The Armchair Curmudgeon: http://lesaaron.blogspot.com

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