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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Sk it O li Sk B ll ti d D t b I t t O li