The “Walking City” is a conceptual project created by Ron Herron and Bryan Harvey that allows a city structure to become mobile. This project revolutionized the idea that a city does not always have to be stagnate. The inhabitants aboard the “Walking City” have no final destination, just a means to travel.
Although the project is conceptually based it still must abide by the logistics of humanity, that is the city must be self-sustaining. All the commodities the average person needs must be appropriated for within the city. In a sense the “Walking City” must be both isolated while at the same time able to connect to the world. A city that is self-sustainable becomes its own biome. Similar to a tropical rainforest biome, a mobile city would have its own climate, geography, and biodiversity (inhabitants), only that these features would sporadically change when the city travels.
The physicality of the “Walking City” maybe somewhat outlandish, but even today there are societies that are completely isolated, and some that are entirely mobile. Oilrigs can be found miles away from the nearest coast, and are able to sustain populations over 5,000. These rigs must be equipped with all the commodities of a city including shops, housing, restaurants, even schools and libraries. Another example, with more mobile capabilities, are cruse ships and aircraft carriers. Both of these vessels must accommodate the living conditions of a crew, often for weeks before docking. Possibly the ultimate mobile community is the space station. The community aboard the space station is the first start at making the “Walking City” a reality. The design of the space station is modular so that additions can be made and the city can expand. Given time and the progression in technology, who knows if one day the space station will become a mobile community for common individuals.
How can architecture benefit by imitating these community typologies? The social interaction between individuals of mobile communities can be compared to government housing. Both deal with tight communal spaces, which must be allocated appropriately. Space is a premium for these mobile cities and a master plan is extremely vital. As architects we should constantly think about space efficiency, and ask our self’s “what if this building was mobile?”
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