First modern arcology project

Providing an alternative to modern urban sprawl, Italian-American architect Paolo Soleri’s (1919-2013) arcology concept was developed in the 1960s and aims at a more balanced relationship between urban form and efficiency of performance within a unique conception of the modern city. Construction of the first prototype arcology town, named Arcosanti (referring to "architecture before things"), began in the central Arizona desert, 110 km (70 mi) north of Phoenix, in 1970. Built to test the validity of the new city model, the ongoing construction, research work and educational provision at Arcosanti explores low-energy and resource use, the intensification of space and land use, and self-containment of habitat. It is often lauded as one of the earliest attempts to build an eco-city.

Arcology is a fusion of the words "architecture" and "ecology". Soleri sets out his vision for future cities like Arcosanti in his 1969 book Arcology: City in the Image of Man.

Arcosanti covers an area of approximately 25 acres (10 ha) and sits within a 4,060-acre (1,640-ha) preserve. The original idea was for the town to have a population of around 5,000 but it has generally only had between 50 and 150 inhabitants at a time; it can attract up to 40,000 tourists per year, though, many of whom come to take part in hands-on workshops and to learn about arcology.