Research Paper Arch 75 2006

8/3/2019 Research Paper Arch 75 2006

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How Can a Self-Sustaining Modern City

Be Contained In a Series of Skyscrapers?

Submitted by: Aaron Lecciones

Submitted to: Prof. MLV Santos


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PROJECT BACKGROUND

1. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

1.1 Rationale

The current world population as of July of 2005 stands at 6,446,131,400

persons (CIA World Fact Book, 2006). Although the world can theoretically

carry a maximum of 32 billion persons (Doxiades, 1966), large areas are

affected by overpopulation. Human activities in areas of overpopulation are

inclined to drastically alter the natural environment. The earths ecosystem

can only go as far in keeping its internal balance. Consequently,

overpopulation results in land, water and air degradation, loss of wildlife and

vegetation, and overall stress on the environment. This leads to a decreased

carrying-capacity for the land upon which this concentration of population

exists and would eventually lead to squalid human conditions.

There is a need to address this issue of uneven concentration of population in

the world. Among the five elements enumerated by Doxiades in his book

Between Dystopia and Utopia, nature, man, socity, shells and networks

shells and networks are the youngest entity. Consequently, it is also the

easiest to change. Accordingly, containing whole cities in skyscrapers its

functions as it deals with human activities not including elements required

from nature could be a solution to this problem. Keeping the majority of

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land around this skyscraper-city for agricultural, biodiversity, air-supply and

water-supply use would be an ideal situation that if attainable would solve

many of the urban-related environmental problems of today.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

1.2.1 Main Problem

How can a self-sustaining modern city be contained in a series of

skyscrapers?

1.2.2 Sub-Problems

1.2.2.1 What are the physical, functional, and other unique

characteristics of a modern-city?

1.2.2.2 What are the current physical limitations on

skyscrapers of today?

1.2.2.3 What characteristics would embody a self-

sustaining city?

1.2.2.4 What are the advantages to man of living in a

skyscraper-city?

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1.2.2.5 What are the advantages to the environment of a

skyscraper-city?

1.2.2.6 Can a self-sustaining modern city contained in a

series of skyscrapers be economically, socially and politically

feasible?

1.3 The Setting of the Problem

1.3.1 Delimitation of the Problem

Site Selection

The areas of which overpopulation exists are primarily urban areas. These

are understood to be built-up areas with very high population densities.

Sub-urban areas at the proximity of cities are also part of the urban area as

treated in this research. The research will only cover urban land areas

which will include sub-urban zones. For this research the area covered

would be the entire Metropolitan Manila, treated individually for each city

composing the metropolis. A case-study city will be selected for

application of the research.

Characteristic of Modern City

The study will only be concerned with modern-day cities as it is found

today from the late 20th to the early 21st century. Urban and sub-urban

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areas are included in the definition of cities. Since cities are a political

designation, the extents of these will be based on their political definition,

however, when applicable, surrounding sub-urban areas will be included

in the research. In particular, air, water and energy supply, as well as,

garage disposal requirements will be based on the each particular city

being studied.

Characteristics of Skyscraper-city planning

Cities have grown to be overpopulated, polluted, and generally unfriendly.

This is because of a lack of planning. Planning has always been in the

horizontal realm. It is this studys intent to create only an expandable and

static skyscraper-city unit following orthodox planning in a vertical

setting.

Data Coverage

Data coverage will be limited to information on modern cities, sustainable

and environment friendly cities and skyscrapers. The skyscrapers

structural aspect will be considered only as a whole and not particularly

for every structural unit. Economic feasibility will be done only as a

comparison to existing projects in the Philippines.

1.3.2 Definition of Terms

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1.3.2.1 Modern City A hybrid and heterogenous

concentration of people and networks (Wikipedia.org, 2006).

1.3.2.2 Skyscraper A vertical structure prevalent in the

cities of the 20th and 21st century.

1.3.2.3 Sustainable City A city that does no harm to he

environment and helps to conserve the balance of nature.

1.3.2.4 Skyscraper-City A city that is contained in a

skyscraper.

1.3.2.5 Overpopulation Overpopulation occurs when the

population of a living species exceeds the carrying capacity of

its ecological niche.

1.3.2.6 Environmental Degradation Loss of wildlife, loss

of vegetation (desertification, extinction, etc.), Loss of land to

erosion, water, air, and land pollution, general destruction of

nature.

1.3.2.7 Urban Quarter is a portion of the city which has

its own center, is virtually independent, and is able to integrate

all daily functions of urban life. Territory of urban quarters can

usually be defined by a persons comfortable walking distance,

which would not exceed 35 hectares (0.35 square kilometers)

and thus accommodate 15,000 people. (Lecciones, 2003)

1.3.2.8 Arcology is a habitat or settlement maintaining an

extremely high human population density. The term was

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invented by architect Paolo Soleri, as a portmanteau of

architecture and ecology. Arcologies are generally advocated

as solutions to the problems of overpopulation and

environmental degradation, as they reduce the ecological

footprint of cities. (Wikipedia.org, 2006)

1.3.3 Assumptions

The study assumes that the current technologies available to man enable

him to start and build whole cities in vertical structures. The study

assumes that social order equates to order as being expressed in political

terms. Personal and psychological effects on individual inhabitants are

treated in a general manner.

Additionally, major world populations are located near coastlines and it is

assumed that all individuals will be living inside this skyscraper-city so

that beneficial effects on the environment and man can be realized.

1.3.4 Significance of the Study

The study deals with how self-sustaining modern cities can be contained

in a skyscraper. This study will benefit mankind in general. Specifically

there are benefits for individual inhabitants, society, government, and the

environment.

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To Nature

By lifting off the finite skin of the planet humankinds requirements for

shelter and all other functions dependent on this, we literally lift off the

shoulders of nature a heavy load. By containing all human activities in a

structure it will be easier to physically demarcate all effects of these

activities on the environment. Freeing up areas previously occupied by

built-up human settlements to nature is undoubtedly beneficial to the

environment.

To the Individual

Man has long endangered his own existence with his activities. This is

especially true for activities in overpopulated built-up areas. The rate at

which man is covering the surface of the earth with his settlements is

greatly affecting the way the ecosystem operates. With a well-planned

skyscraper-city Man can enjoy what he has enjoyed in a horizontal city but

with the conscience of protecting the land upon which his settlement

stands.

To Government

With an enclosed and regulated environment inside a skyscraper-city, it

will be easier to maintain control over a larger area comprised of

skyscraper-city sub-units.

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To Society

A more efficient way of living can be devised in a skyscraper-city for

society to utilize. A more organized living pattern for society can help

increase general productivity.

1.3.5 Theoretical Framework

The study will work on different planning frameworks applied to a

skyscraper-city situation. The city requirements for land is sieved through

self-sustaining cities and arcologies concepts and translated into a

skyscraper-city unit. Technical and Financial considerations are tackled in

devising the skyscraper-city unit.

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2. HYPOTHESIS

A skyscraper can be designed as to contain all the functions needed for a modern-day

city to operate while giving equal if not better conditions to an orthodox horizontal

city leading to a more sustainable situation in overpopulated human settlements.

3. METHODOLOGY

City requirements for

land functions

Residential

Commercial

Institutional

Industrial

Infrastructure/

Utilities

Self-Sustaining Cities

Concept

Arcologies Concept

Modern

Skyscrapers

Skyscraper-city

Benefits to Man and Environment

Technical Consideration

Financial Consideration

Overcrowding,Environmental Degradation

Figure 1.3.5.1 - Theoretical Framework

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The methodology in the survey will be theoretically grounded on the post-positivism

research approach. The study will use a case-study and logical argumentation as

research strategies. Tactics for the study include observation, field visits, interviews,

collection of data from secondary sources, mapping and use of computer programs.

The study is limited to a duration of two months February to March of two-

thousand and six.

3.1 Systems of Inquiry

The study will employ the post positivism research approach. This approach

will enable the study to be grounded on the scientific and objective

conclusions of its calculation and analysis of data. Furthermore, by using this

research approach the research study will preserve its context and allow future

re-analysis of the data and its conclusions using qualitative methods.

3.2 Research Design or Strategy

The research design will use a combination of logical argumentation and case

studies. The approach of the study is bottom-up, starting from the modern

city characteristics and fitting it into the maximum skyscraper configurations

of today. Assessment of the impact on the environment due to human

activities will be based on the treatment of waste and pollution from these.

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3.3 Tactics

The following instruments and tactics will be used in the study: observation,

surveys, interviews, collection of data from secondary sources, and use of

computer programs. The Methodology Flowchart (Fig. 3.3.1) shows how the

study will tackle the problem.

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Data Collection/Research

Characteristic of ModernCities (Metro Manila)

Characteristic of SustainableCities (case-studies around

the world)

Identification of Problem

Physical Limitation ofSkyscrapers

Delimiting Study/Identification of Scope

Modern technologiesavailable to augmentskyscraper limitations

Creating a standard form forthe modern city

Creating Skyscraperconfiguration for modern city

Examine Modern City andSkyscraper

Verifying viability of

Skyscraper City

Conclusion

Identifying Advantages ofSkyscraper City

Example Skyscraper City

Methodology Flowchart (Fig. 3.3.1)

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4. REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Between Dystopia and Utopia

The book entitled, between Dystopia and Utopia by Constatinos A. Doxiades,

explains in detail basic concepts in Ekistics as well as urban planning. The book

includes his theories on cities and city growth. The author also relates different

elements in the world namely shells, networks, society, man, nature; with planning

considerations and previous perceptions of ideal and not-ideal cities. Comparisons

are made between different and past city concepts such as Le-Corbusiers, Orwell,

Huxley as well as Platos and Aristotles. Important is his estimates for the carrying

capacity of the earth and what different systems approach is required to reconcile the

different elements.

Skyscraper City

The web portal skyscrapercity.com discusses everything there is about skyscrapers. It

is an online forum and bulletin which explains and describes different topics about

skyscrapers. This includes advanced in skyscrapers in the past, present and future and

also the role of skyscrapers in cities. Infrastructure developments are also included in

the database.

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Present Conditions Analysis

2. Present Conditions and Baseline Studies

2.1. Definition of Cities

2.1.1. According to Wikipedia.org:

A city usually consists of residential, industrial and business areas together with

administrative functions which may relate to a wider geographical area. A large share of

a city's area is primarily taken up by housing, which is then supported by infrastructure

such as roads, streets and often public transport routes such as a rapid transit system.

Lakes and rivers may be the only undeveloped areas within the city.

2.1.2. Modern cities are known for creating their own microclimates. This is

due to the large clustering of hard surfaces that heat up in sunlight and that

channel rainwater into underground ducts. As a result, city weather is often

windier and cloudier than the weather in the surrounding countryside.

Conversely, because these effects make cities warmer (urban heat shield or

urban heat islands) than the surrounding area, tornadoes tend to go around

cities. Garbage and sewage are two major problems for cities, as is air

pollution coming from internal combustion engines. The impact of cities on

places elsewhere, be it hinterlands or places far away, is considered in the

notion of city footprinting or ecological footprints.

2.1.3. Self-sustaining Cities

2.1.3.1. A self-sustaining city might have the following characteristics:

(Gaurdian.co.uk, 2006)

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2.1.3.1.1. Energy self-sufficient with all residential, transport and

commerce powered by a combination of sun, wind and other

renewable energy sources.

2.1.3.1.2. Self-sufficiency in food with locally grown produce for

all inhabitants of the city.

2.1.3.1.3. Strict control over over-exploitation, erosion and land

degradation.

2.1.3.1.4. Presence of high-technology industry and high-technology

service employment.

2.2. Arcologies (Arcosanti, 2006)

2.2.1. Paolo Soleri's concept of "Arcology" is architecture coherent with

ecology. Arcology advocates cities designed to maximize the interaction

and accessibility associated with an urban environment; minimize the use of

energy, raw materials and land, reducing waste and environmental pollution;

and allow interaction with the surrounding natural environment.

2.2.2. An arcology would need about two percent as much land as a typical

city of similar population. Todays typical city devotes more than sixty

percent of its land to roads and automobile services. Arcology eliminates the

automobile from within the city. The multi-use nature of arcology design

would put living, working and public spaces within easy reach of each other

and walking would be the main form of transportation within the city.

2.2.3. An arcologys direct proximity to uninhabited wilderness would

provide the city dweller with constant immediate and low-impact access to

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rural space as well as allowing agriculture to be situated near the city,

maximizing the logistical efficiency of food distribution systems. Arcology

would use passive solar architectural techniques such as the apse effect,

greenhouse architecture and garment architecture to reduce the energy usage

of the city, especially in terms of heating, lighting and cooling. Overall,

arcology seeks to embody a Lean Alternative to hyper consumption and

wastefulness through more frugal, efficient and intelligent city design.

2.3. Demographic Data

2.3.1. Metropolitan Manila

2.3.1.1. Metropolitan Manila contains the capital of the Philippines,

Manila, as well as sixteen surrounding cities and municipilaties.

Metropolitan Manila or the National Capital Region (NCR) is among

the twenty largest metropolitan areas in terms of population in the

world. Metro Manila is the smallest of the country's administrative

regions, but the most populous and the most densely populated, having

a population of 9,932,560 in an area only 636 square kilometers large

(Wikipedia.org, 2006).

2.3.1.2. It comprises fourteen cities, three municipalities, and one-

thousand, six hundred and ninety-four barangays. It is divided into 27

congressional districts (Wikipedia.org, 2006).

2.3.1.3. It is administered by the Metropolitan Manila Development

Authority under Republic Act number 7294. The chair of which is

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appointed by the president and should have no other concurrent

position in government (Wikipedia.org, 2006).

2.3.1.4. Based on the 2000 census, the following are the area, population

and population density of each city and municipality in Metropolitan

Manila: (Wikipedia.org, 2006)

City Population Area

(km)

Pop. density (per km)

Caloocan City 1,177,604 53.33 22,081

Las Pias City 528,011 41.54 12,710

Makati City 444,867 27.36 16,260

Malabon City 338,855 15.76 21,501

Mandaluyong City 278,474 11.26 24,731

Manila 1,581,082 38.55 41,014

Marikina City 391,170 33.97 11,515

Muntinlupa City 379,310 46.70 8,122

Paraaque City 449,811 47.69 9,432

Pasay City 354,908 19.00 18,679

Pasig City 505,058 31.00 16,292

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Quezon City 2,173,831 161.12 13,492

Taguig City 467,375 47.88 9,761

Valenzuela City 485,433 44.58 10,889

Municipality Population Area

(km)

Pop. density (per km)

Navotas 230,403 10.77 21,393

Pateros 57,407 2.10 27,337

San Juan 117,680 5.94 19,811

2.3.1.5. Metropolitan Manila is also divided into four non-functioning

districts. These districts were created in 1976 but have no local

government and no congressional representation. They are used for

fiscal and statistical purposes. The 1st district is the City of Manila, the

2nd district is composed of the cities of Mandaluyong, Marikina, Pasig,

Quezon City, and San Juan, the 3rd district is composed of Caloocan

City, Malabon City, Navotas, and Valenzuela City, the 4th district is

composed of Las Pinas City, Makati City, Mutinlupa City, Paranaque

City, Pasay City, Pateros and Taguig City.

2.3.1.6. The whole of Metropolitan Manila covers an area equivalent to

636 square kilometers. Quezon City comprises the largest area with

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about 161 square kilometers while Pateros comprises the smallest area

at 2.10 square kilometers.

2.3.1.6.1. Pasig City (PCGW, 2006)

2.3.1.6.1.1. Physical Features

Has a population of 505,058 people in an

area covering 31 square kilometers. It has 30

barangays and is classified as a highly urbanized

city by the national government. It is bounded by

Quezon City and Marikina at its North; Pateros,

Taguig, and Makati to its South; Cainta and Taytay

to its East; and Mandaluyong City to its West.

2.3.1.6.1.2. Socio-Economic Profile

2.3.1.6.1.2.1. The agriculture sector of Pasig City is

practically non-existent considering that only 8% of the

city's total land area has remained available for this use.

There are patches of land planted to vegetables and rice

but production is not significant. Some lands are

devoted to livestock-raising but these are the backyard

type.

2.3.1.6.1.2.2. The industrial sector is composed mainly of

manufacturing and construction. The number of

manufacturing firms in the city increased from 633 in

1990 to 1082 in 1995, 50% of which are small scale.

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The firms range from light to heavy manufacturing

establishments. Meanwhile, construction boom which

the country has been experiencing in the past few years

is also evident in the city as seen from the subdivisions,

condominiums, roads and bridges being built in the

area. This has been attributed to the strategic location of

the city, availability of land and the assistance provided

by the city government to investors. Prominent

companies include producers of Ovaltine, Juicy Fruit

Gum, Mariwasa Tiles, Republic-Asahi Glass, and

Allied-Thread, Inc.

2.3.1.6.1.2.3. The number of service establishments in Pasig

City increased from 1007 in 1990 to 32,063, in 2000.

Commercial establishments occupy some 220 hectares

(2.2 square kilometers) or 7% of the city's total land

area. These establishments include banks and other

financial or lending institutions, big and small-scale

wholesalers and retailers, restaurant and fast food

chains, movie houses and the Pasig Public Market.

Prominent companies include Meralco, Philippine

Stock Exchange, and Benpres Holdings.

On the other hand, establishments providing social

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services such as schools, barangay halls, churches,

health centers, hospitals and the city hall, among others,

occupy about 31 hectares (0.31 square kilometers) or

one percent of the total land area of the Pasig City.

2.3.1.6.1.3. Ortigas Center Business District (PCGW, 2006)

2.3.1.6.1.3.1. Ortigas Center is a business district in Pasig

City which accounts for fourty percent of the cities

revenues. It is adiminstered by the Ortigas & Company

Limited Partnership and has close to 200 member

properties.

2.3.1.6.1.3.2. The centers total area is 1,082,891 square

meters as of December 1998. Of the total area, 46.8

percent or 506,793 square meters is under Pasig Citys

jurisdiction.

2.3.2. Ecological Footprint Requirements

2.3.2.1. According to myfootprint.org, a typical Filipino individual would

require 1.2 hectares of land to support his or her average lifestyle while

a middle income Filipino individual would require about 3 to 4 hectares

of land.

2.3.3. Urban Quarters

2.3.3.1. A city district unit is ideally composed of four urban quarters

(Lecciones, 2002). Or a total of 1.4 square kilometers.

2.4. Industry Profile

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2.4.1. Skyscrapers in the 20th and 21st century. The following includes a list

of skyscrapers built which are higher than 400 meters tall:

(Skyscraperpage.com, 2006; Emporis.com, 2006)

2.4.1.1. Sears Tower in Chicago, USA was completed in 1974. It has 108

floors dedicated to offices. It has a height of 442.3 meters from the

roof and 527.3 meters from the antenna. It holds the tallest tip of any

skyscraper in the World and was the tallest building for 22 years from

1974 till 1996.

2.4.1.2. The Taipei 101 is the first tallest building to be completed in the

21st century. It is located in Taipei, Taiwan and was completed in

2004. It has 101 floors dedicated to multiple use residential,

commercial and institutional. Its roof height is 448 meters while its

spire height is 508 meters. It is currently the worlds tallest building.

2.4.1.3. The John Hancock Center in Chicago, USA was completed in

1969. It has a hundred floors dedicated to multiple uses residential,

commerce and institutional. Its roof height is 343.5 meters while its

antenna height is 457.2 meters.

2.4.1.4. The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was completed

in 1998. It has a total of 88 floors dedicated to office space. It has a

spire height of 452 meters.

2.4.1.5. The Empire State Building in New York City, NY, USA was

completed in 1931. It has 102 floors dedicated to office space. It has a

antenna height of 448.7 meters and a roof height of 381 meters.

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2.4.1.6. The Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai, China was completed in 1998 and

has 93 floors dedicated to multiple-use. It has a spire height of 420.5

meters.

2.4.1.7. The 2 International Finance Center in Hong Kong, China was

completed in 2003 and hosts 90 floors dedicated to office space. Its

antenna height is 415.8 meters, spire height is 413.8 meters and roof

height of 406.9 meters.

2.4.2. The following diagram (Diagram 2.2.2.1) shows the current tallest

skyscrapers in existence:

Diagram 2.2.2.1 Tallest Existing Skyscrapers in the World

(Skyscraperpage.com, 2006)

2.4.3. There are currently eleven skyscrapers being built that are higher than

400 meters. The following is the list from skyscraperpage.com:

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2.4.3.1. The Burj Dubai in Dubai, UAE is slated to be completed in 2008.

It has 160 floors dedicated for multiple uses and has a spire height of

705 meters.

2.4.3.2. The Busan Lotte Tower in Busan, South Korea is slated to be

completed in 2008. It has 107 floors dedicated to multiple uses and has

a roof height of 494 meters.

2.4.3.3. The Shanghai World Financial Center in Shanghai, China is slated

to be completed this year, 2007. It has 101 floors of mixed-use space

and a roof height of 491.9 meters.

2.4.3.4. The Abraj Al Bait Towers in Mecca, Saudi Arabia is slated to be

completed in 2008. It has 76 floors of mixed-use space and a spire

height of 485 meters.

2.4.3.5. The Dubai Towers Doha in Doha, Qatar is slated for completion in

2008. It has 80 floors dedicated to mixed uses. It has a spire height of

445 meters and a roof height of 400 meters.

2.4.3.6. The International Commerce Center in Hong Kong, China is slated

for completion in 2009. It has 104 floors of mixed-use space and a roof

height of 432 meters.

2.4.3.7. The Federation Tower in Moscow, Russia is slated for completion

this year, 2007. It has 88 floors of mixed-use space and has a spire

height of 432 meters and a roof height of 354 meters.

2.4.3.8. The Princess Tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is slated for

completion in 2009. It has 107 floors purely for residential use.

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2.4.3.9. The Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago, Illinois is

slated for completion in 2008. It has 92 floors dedicated to mixed-use.

It has a spire height of 415.1 meters and roof height of 356.9 meters.

2.4.3.10. The Al Hamra Tower in Kuwait City, Kuwait is slated for

construction in 2009. It has 77 floors dedicated to mixe-use. It has a

roof height of 412 meters.

2.4.4. The following diagram (diagram 2.2.4.1) shows skyscrapers higher

than 400 meters that are currently being built:

Diagram 2.2.4.1 Skyscrapers Above 400 meters Under Construction

(Skyscraperpage.com)

2.4.5. The following are the 7 tallest buildings in the Philippines

(Skyscraperpage.com, 2006):

2.4.5.1. The PBCom Tower in Makati, is the tallest building in the

Philippines at 259 meters spire height. It has 55 floors and was built in

2000. It is purely a commercial use building.

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2.4.5.2. The Summit One in Mandaluyong City was built in 1998 and has

49 floors dedicated solely to commerce. It is approximately 200 meters

tall.

2.4.5.3. The G.T. International Tower in Makati was built in 2002 and has

47 floors dedicated purely to commerce. It has a spire height of 217.3

meters.

2.4.5.4. One San Miguel Avenue in Pasig City is 183 meters tall. It has 54

floors dedicated to office space and was completed in 2001.

2.4.5.5. Petron Megaplaza in Makati City was built in 1998. It has 45

floors dedicated to office space with a total height of 210 meters.

2.4.5.6. Union Bank Plaza in Pasig City was built in 2004. It has 49 floors

dedicated to office space.

2.4.5.7. The 1322 Roxas Boulevard in Manila was built in 2004. It has 57

floors purely for residential use. It has a height of 203 meters.

2.4.5.8. The following Diagram (Diagram 2.2.5.8.1) shows the existing

tallest buildings in the Philippines:

Diagram 2.2.5.8.1 Existing Tallest Buildings in the Philippines

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2.4.6. The following are buildings being constructed in the Philippines of

notable height:

2.4.6.1. The St. Francis Shangrila Plaza Complex, Ortigas Center,

Mandaluyong by the Edsa Properties Holdings, Inc. is a residential

building 60 stories tall. There will be two of these towers at a cost of 3

to 5 billion pesos each. It has a estimated height of 213 roof height and

230 spire height. The following (diagram 2.4.6.1.1) is a rendering of

the development:

Diagram 2.4.6.1.1 St. Francis Towers

2.4.6.2. One Corporate Center in Ortigas Center Pasig City is a office

tower with 54 floors. It has an estimated height of 202 meters at the

roof. The following is a diagram (diagram 2.2.6.2.1) of the building:

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Diagram 2.2.6.2.1 One Corporate Center

(skyscraperpage.com, 2006)

2.4.7. The following are buildings in the Philippines which are still being

proposed or are on hold.

2.4.7.1. The Sky City in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City was originally

88 floors but now has been revised to 77 floors with a height of 335

meters. It sits on a 4000 square meter site and excavations were dug in

2001. It features a mixed-use space with a 220 room hotel, offices,

residences, and a mall that features a movie theatre complex.

2.4.7.2. Lopez Center Tower in Rockwell, Makati City will be 320 meters

tall with 52 floors. It is being designed by Skidmore Owings and

Merrill and is taken from NYCs Freedom Tower. It is determined to

be the headquarters of the First Philippine Holdings.

(Skyscrapercity.com, 2006; Emporis.com, 2006))

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Picture 2.2.7.2.1 Lopez Center Tower

2.5. Current advances in building technology

2.5.1. Carbon Nano-Tubing is a new technology in the field of nano-

technology. The base technology is already present and is being used in

minimal applications in the construction industry. It is currently being

researched for more diverse use by IBM, Motorola, General Electric,

DuPont, and Mitsui among others (Bloom, 2006). Carbon Nano-tubes are

actually tubes made out of pure carbon atoms their structural form is capable

of being 100 times stronger than steel at one-sixth of its weight (nanotech-

now, 2006).

2.5.2. Solar Powered Cells or Photovoltaic cells are not exactly a new

technology. However, the packaging and application of this technology into

construction has seen marked developments.

2.6. Examples of envisioned cities in skyscrapers

2.6.1. Sky-City 1000 is an envisioned city in a skyscraper to be built in

Tokyo, Japan. It is to be 1000 meters tall and to house 35,000 residents and

100,000 workers in 196 floors. It has a total floor area of 800 hectares or 8

square kilometers. It is composed of 14 concave dish-shaped aerial bases

called Space Plateaus to be stacked on top of each other. The concept as

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announced in 1989 as a solution to the worsening land deficit in Tokyo. The

following are pictures of the proposed skyscraper-city:

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2.6.2. The Millennium Tower, which was envisioned for Hong Kong would

be almost twice as tall as the Empire State Building. This building would

house hospitals, schools, entertainment and retail outlets, and also

commercial and residential spaces. It is envisioned to be 170 stories and

2,755 feet tall with a resident population of 52,000 people. It would require

10 years to build with a construction price of 10 billion US dollars.

2.6.3. The TRY 2004 from the Shimizu Corporation in Tokyo, Japan is an

envisioned project to house 750,000 inhabitants in a structure that is floating

on Tokyo Harbor. The 2004 meters high Mega-City-Pyramid TRY 2004, is

a partial answer to two important problems: with cities becoming more and

more crowded and the environment suffering progressive damage, the time

has come for the development of a megacity that functions in harmony with

nature. So, the city proposed by the Shimizu Corp.'s engineers represents the

ideal form of living for man in harmony with the earth.

The basic model, which brings together 204 units, has the following

dimensions: perimeter of the foundation above ground is 2,800 meters, area

of the foundation is 800 hectares, and infrastructure area is approximately

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2,500 hectares, gross building area is approximately 8,800 hectares, and

facilities are residential (1st to 4th layers), offices (5th to 8th layers), research,

leisure, with the height of one layer being 250.5m (x 8 = 2,004m)

In this huge tubular structure, one could find 100 storey towers where almost

1,000,000 people could live and work. The distribution of the total 8,800

hectares of buildings would be the following:

Some 5,000 hectares out of the gross buildings area will be devoted to

residential purposes, with 240,000 units housing a total of 700,000 people.

Each building will have its own energy resources from sun and wind. Some

2,400 hectares are assigned to offices and commercial facilities, in which

800,000 people will find gainful employment. The remaining 1,400 hectares

will be used for research and hotel/leisure purposes.

The basic construction of TRY 2004 is based on units each composed of a

regular octahedron some 350 meters in perimeter, formed by combining two

squares pyramids on top of each other at their bases. These units can be

further combined both vertically and horizontally, in a way that permits

expansion and enlargement, so as to allow the unrestricted construction of a

three-dimensional space as large as its particular function requires.

The shafts composing each unit will make use of new lightweight materials,

including carbon nano-tubing and glass fibers that boasts superior strength

and durability. The basic structure of the city will be formed through the

combination of horizontal and diagonal shafts in the highly rigid tube-to-

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tube manner of construction. The horizontal shaft, 10 meters in diameter and

350 meters long, will encompass electrical and communication networks as

well as corridors and a distribution network, not to mention two different

new transportation systems and observation windows. Meanwhile, the

diagonal shafts, 16 meters in diameter and 350 meters long, will comprise

plumbing and electrical networks, 2 elevators, and a distribution network.

The nodes at which 2 shapes intersect will act as transportation foci. They

will be covered with crystal glass globes 50 meters in diameter so as to

concentrate sunlight that will then be transmitted throughout every corner of

the city through optical fibers.

During the construction of all sections of each facility, robots will be used in

self-constructing automatic segment assembly and push-up methods.

Automation of the construction will be further facilitated by the use of

uniform parts and materials.

The transport of people in the new city will be primarily conducted by 2

systems: a continuous circulatory transportation system, comprising

elevators built into the diagonal shafts, for vertical transport; and a new kind

of transportation system making use of linear induction that will be built

inside the horizontal shafts. Access to buildings will be made through the

nodes, and here one will find moving walkways, escalators and corridors, as

well as elevators within each building. The distribution of goods within the

city will make use of a continuous circulatory transport system for vertical

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conveyance, with automatic transfer loaders at each node to move goods

onto container trucks or conveyor belts. This system will thus provide for the

automatic distribution of goods to their respective destinations.

Vertical transport system will be a Continuous Circulatory Transport (CCT)

System with a number of lines equaling 64 lengths of shaft with a minimum

700 meters and maximum 2800 meters. The number of cabins are to be 4 to

12 with a cabin capacity of 50 persons maximum and a speed of 36 km-h.

This transport has a capability of carrying approximately 190,000 persons

each hour.

Horizontal transport system: this system comprises small lightweight cabins

propelled by linear-induction motor (LIM) devices placed at regular

intervals along the sidewalk. The numbers of lines are 26 length of lines with

a minimum of 1,400 meters in length and a maximum 7,000 meters. Cabins

per train will be 4 to 20 and cabin capacity at 75 persons with a maximum

speed of 40 km-h and a maximum acceleration and deceleration of 2.16 km-

h. The frequency of service is approximately once a minute with a transport

capability of carrying approximately 190,000 persons per hour.

As regards security, a "Wind-through" construction will be adopted to

reduce win-load, and vibration control and anti-earthquake devices will be

installed at all points supporting the buildings within each unit to help reduce

the vibration and malformation of the buildings, suspended in air, that are

devoted to living purposes.

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As regards energy, a waste water treatment will enable water recycling

through bioreactors, and electricity will be derived from natural sources such

as wind generators or solar batteries, augmented by electricity generated

from garbage incineration. Waste water and solids will thus be kept to the

very minimum in order to preserve the surrounding environment.

The construction of TRY 2004 would spend 7 years and its cost is estimated

at nearly 88 trillions yens or approximately US800B (Skyscrapercity.com,

2006).

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3. Data Analysis

3.1. The National Capital Region is the smallest region in the Philippines

comprising about 0.2 percent of the land area of the country. However, it is the

most densely populated region with 15,617 persons sharing every one square

kilometer of land. This is 61 times the ratio of the national average of 255

persons for every square kilometer. (Census.gov.ph, 2006) Densely populated

regions are areas with massive environmental degradation.

3.2. Requirements to contain Pasig City

3.2.1. Parameters

3.2.1.1. Residential Space The total space required for residential use

would require housing units approximately 510,000 people. With the

average family in Metropolitan Manila being 5 persons per household

(Census.gov.ph, 2006), there would require at least 102,000 housing

units. There would be approximately a total 18 square kilometers

allocation for this.

3.2.1.2. Commercial Space The total space required for commercial

functions would be 2.2 square kilometers. Ortigas Center would

approximately be 0.5 square kilometers of the total.

3.2.1.3. Institutional Space The total space required for institutional

functions would be 0.31 square kilometers.

3.2.1.4. Industrial Space The total space required for the industrial

functions would amount to approximately 3 square kilometers.

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3.2.1.5. Proportionally, commercial to institutional to residential there is a

approximately a 11:2:87 ratio in space allocation. Utilities and

Industrial space would comprise about 5 square kilometers which

would separate from the three.

3.2.1.6. Ratio for all five components is residential 70 percent, commercial

9 percent, institutional 2 percent, industrial and institutional 19 percent.

3.2.2. Design Guidelines

3.2.2.1. All minimum guidelines from the Building Code, Fire Code,

Electrical Code and such shall be met.

3.2.2.2. There shall be space for Industrial and Utilities separate from the

residential, institutional and commercial spaces.

3.2.2.3. The spaces shall be divided and classified into urban quarter units,

where each level may compose 1 urban quarter ad every four levels

creates a city district.

3.3. Requirements for a skyscraper-city unit

3.3.1. Analysis of Skyscraper Limitations

3.3.1.1. The Burj Dubai is a great example of what can be achieved in

skyscrapers. At 160 floors and 705 meters it is very near the

envisioned Millennium Tower which has 190 floors at about 900

meters.

3.3.1.2. The TRY 2004 is estimated at 800 billion US dollars and can

house 750,000 people self-sufficiently, however, the budget is well out

of reach for any developer, even the government, in the Philippines.

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3.3.1.3. The currently tallest skyscraper is the Taipei 101. It has a height of

approximately half a kilometer high and 101 floors. It contains a stock

exchange, malls, residences and offices. It disposes its own waste with

an on-site sewerage treatment plant.

3.3.1.4. The on-hold construction of the Sky-City is a 77-storey building is

placed on a 4000 square meter lot. An urban quarter would require a

lot ten times this size. A city district composed of four urban quarters

would require a lot 20 times bigger than this.

3.3.2. Design Guidelines

3.3.2.1. Mixed-use spaces made up of urban quarters of 0.35 square

kilometers with spaces for residential, commercial and institutional

functions.

3.3.2.2. Industrial and Utilities should be isolated from the residential,

commercial and institutional for safety purposes.

3.4. Viability

3.4.1. Technical Viability

3.4.1.1. The tallest building in the Philippines is currently the PBCom

Tower. It is 259 meters tall or about approximately half the height of

the currently tallest skyscraper the Taipei 101. It has 55 floors with the

first ten floors occupied by the Philippine Bank of Communications.

The tallest residential building in the Philippines is 1322 Roxas

Boulevard. It has a height of 203 meters with 57 floors.

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3.4.2. TRY 2004 of the Japanese Engineering Firm Shimizu Corporation has

shown in detail how the different technical issues were handled from

transportation to energy, from waste disposal to structural integrity.

3.4.3. Financial Viability

3.4.3.1. The 60 floor towers of St. Francis in Ortigas Center would cost a

maximum of 5 billion pesos each (skyscrapercity.com, 2006). Only

large privately funded conglomerates will be able to fund a skyscraper

city that will be made up of multiple buildings of St. Franciss size. A

4000 square meter lot with a 70 storey building of St. Francis type

would approximately be 10 billion pesos. An urban quarter size

building with the same height of St. Francis would cost approximately

100 billion pesos. The Millennium Tower which is 900 meters tall

with 190 floors and can house 52,000 residents costs 10 billion US

dollars or equivalently 520 billion pesos.

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4. Translation Guidelines

4.1. The Design Framework

4.1.1. Space Program:

4.1.1.1. 102,000 housing units at approximately 120 square meters each.

4.1.1.2. Commercial spaces totaling 2,200,000 square meters

4.1.1.3. Institutional spaces totaling 310,000 square meters

4.1.1.4. Industrial spaces totaling 3,000,000 square meters

4.1.1.5. Utilities totaling 2,000,000 square meters

4.1.2. Space Ratios for an urban quarter of 350,000 meters

4.1.2.1. 2,041 housing units

4.1.2.2. 31,500 square meters commercial space

4.1.2.3. 7,000 square meters institutional space

4.1.2.4. 66,500 square meters industrial and utility space

4.1.3. Space Matrix for one district of urban quarters

4.1.3.1. Four urban quarters connected by mass transport with central

utilities and industrial area.

4.1.3.1.1. Total industrial and utility area of 266,000 square meters.

4.1.4. Space Matrix for one skyscraper-city unit comprising one urban

quarter.

4.1.4.1. 350,000 square meters divided by 70 stories is 5000 square meters

of floor space. That would require approximately 71 meters by 71

meters of lot dimension. The final design of the building might require

80 meters by 80 meters with 70 stories at approximately 5 meters floor

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to floor with a total roof height of approximately 300 meters. This

would probably cost around 10 billion pesos and can house 10,205

persons.

4.1.5. Pasig City comprises approximately 505,000 people that would require

50 skyscraper-city units or 500 billion pesos worth of investment. 50

skyscraper units would require only 320,000 square meters compare that to

31,000,000 square meters that the total population of Pasig City is using

today, that is only 1 percent of the total land area. The 99 percent or 30.69

square kilometers of land are can be used for agriculture for food self-

sufficiency, vegetation and forest growth for a myriad of genetic and

biological products, as well as a sink for clean air and water.

4.2. The Design Parameters

4.2.1. The skyscraper-city unit will be grouped into four units to make a city

district. There will be 12 city districts and two city government buildings.

4 units1 district

1 skyscraper city unit

Horizontal Mas-transport system

City

Government

Building

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4.2.2. The skyscraper-city unit schematic will look as follows:

4.2.2.1. Each building will be coated with photovoltaic cells to make each

building energy self-sufficient.

5. Conclusion

5.1. With recent construction milestones such as the 160 floors, 705 meter Burj

Dubai building, it is technically possible to contain a city into several

skyscrapers. In the case study of this research the whole population of Pasig City

which is approximately 500,000 in an area of 31 square kilometers was fit into 50

skyscrapers 70 floors tall with a base of 80 meters by 80 meters with a total area

of 0.32 square kilometers or about 1 percent of the total space.

1st floor

70th floor

SKYSCRAPER-CITY UNIT

15th to 70th floor

Residential 87% Commercial 11% Institutional 2%

1st to 14th floor -Industrial & Utilities 19% of total building

Triple or double cabin level elevators vertical mass-transport system.

Horizontal Mass-transport System

connections at three levels Bottom

Service, Middle Service, Top Service,

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5.2. The benefits of freeing up 99 percent of the land for agricultural use food

self-sufficiency, or vegetation and forest cover for biodiversity and genetic

resource, or for clean air and clean water, is immense.

5.3. However, the cost of each unit at approximate 10 billion pesos each might be

a significant hurdle for developers in the country but the required 50 units,

totaling 500 billion pesos or equivalent to the total debt of the National Power

Corporation (WSWG, 2006), is a huge amount that will make the project most

likely unfeasible.

6. Recommendations

6.1. It is recommended that future research identify different ratios of footprint

easing from the current researchs 1 percent to different percentages to about 50

percent, in order to decrease the height requirement per skyscraper-city unit and

lower the construction costs of each unit. Thereby increasing the likelihood that

the project becomes feasible in the future.

6.2. Construction and development schemes for this skyscraper-city should also be

planned through staggered development for it to be financially viable. It could

be that only 35 stories will first be built and then the future 36 th to 70th stories are

built after some capital is funded through the economic activity present in the

skyscraper-city.

6.3. It is recommended that future research detailing the basic housing unit designs

as well as the detailing of commercial, industrial and institutional spaces in each

floor level of the skyscraper-city unit be done.

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6.4. It is recommended as well that a detailed study on utilities be done in order to

integrate different systems of each skyscraper-city unit for each district for it to

maximize energy use.

6.5. It is recommended that any legal aspects of such a project be studies in future

research.

6.6. An Environmental Impact Assessment should be done on the project in any

future study on the research.

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Documents

Research Paper Arch 75 2006