While I love the idea of designing something from scratch, I am more in favor of retrofitting what already exists. Retrofitting allows the materials to be kept at their highest value. I’m sure it is not feasible to retrofit everything. It would be good to create a hierarchy where retrofits are considered first.
I also think those built from scratch cities would become enclaves for the wealthy.
I think you can use the hierarchy anywhere. There are many things to consider including safety, standards, and the ability to retrofit but I think it would be important to also consider the costs of not retrofitting an existing building. Here in Portland, Oregon our building code requires dismantling existing structures and putting the materials back into use. So maybe retrofit is #1 and then dismantling is #2?
While I love the idea of designing something from scratch, I am more in favor of retrofitting what already exists. Retrofitting allows the materials to be kept at their highest value. I’m sure it is not feasible to retrofit everything. It would be good to create a hierarchy where retrofits are considered first.
I also think those built from scratch cities would become enclaves for the wealthy.
I like your hierarchy idea. Does that trend towards metropolitan areas first? Or what's your thinking there?
I think you can use the hierarchy anywhere. There are many things to consider including safety, standards, and the ability to retrofit but I think it would be important to also consider the costs of not retrofitting an existing building. Here in Portland, Oregon our building code requires dismantling existing structures and putting the materials back into use. So maybe retrofit is #1 and then dismantling is #2?