Desert Cities: What can they teach us ?

Modern Desert Cities like

Phoenix are different- theyhave cars and

low density

Greater Phoenix Growth from 1900 to 2000

• This graph, from the Greater Phoenix Historical Atlas by ASU, forecasts populations of between 28,202,125 and 9,633,832 by 2050.

• Also a land area of between 10,467 and 3,575 sq. miles if development continues at present densities of 2.7 thousand per sq. mile.

Greater Phoenix

• Total Land area is 17,700 sq. miles of which about 7,800 sq. miles would be available for urban development. Room for about 21,000,000 people at current densities.

Low Density Sprawl has Serious Problems

• Traffic breeds pollution and accidents• A sedentary life can lead to obesity, diabetes and heart

disease• Depression is a growing mental health problem• Asthma increasingly threatens the lives of children• The “Bowling Alone” syndrome erodes civic life• Society is increasingly “ghettoized” economically• Journey to work time and distance increases• All trips require access to an expensive automobile• The sick and the elderly are increasingly isolated or

institutionalized

The Compact Desert City as an Alternative to Sprawl

Jaipur in

Phoenix

The adapted fabric of the Indian Rajasthani desert city of Jaipur is superimposed on the East Roosevelt district of Phoenix

Mitu Singh

Marrakeshin Phoenix

Marrakesh modified to fit Phoenix; El Fnamoved to light rail stop; palaces and gardens moved to extend down-town campus; souk adapted to linearmarket; majorbuildings retained.

Sana’ain PhoenixSana’a modifiedTo fit Phoenix site: mosque gardens becomeCommunityGardens and retention basins;Yemen gate toLight Rail stop;edges strengthened.

Limamodified toPhoenix site.The Plaza is moved to the light rail stop on Central; the grid is made parallel to Phoenix’s; a “green” route connects the Deck Park to a possible University Campus at Phoenix Union High School.

Compact Desert Cities

Cusco Peru

Fez MoroccoJodhpurCoastal City Chile India