Architectural concept of a new era (part 2)

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

Architectural concept of a new era (part 2)

Author: Kachalko Fedor

HIERARCHY OF SETTLEMENTS

In the universe, everything is ordered by levels, complex systems consist of simple ones, small details add up to large ones, thus a general picture is formed. The cosmic hierarchy in our concept is expressed in the typology of settlements. Just as celestial objects can be ordered according to different categories, so also settlements should be brought to a certain order.

In the modern world, of course, there is a certain order in the hierarchy of settlement, but its boundaries are very blurred, there are many nuances and exceptions, the rules are violated and little controlled. The quantitative indicators of modern cities have very large ranges, the target activity is not always intelligible and orderly, and there is no need to talk about shaping. Therefore, you need to create a more intelligible system with precise concepts or just put things in order.

Let's take the Slavic varna system as the basis for putting things in order. We will sort it out according to two main indicators: the number of the population and the type of activity. Let's create a single structure, in the form of a pyramid, where each previous step supports the next. Let's make a note right away: this model is not an indicator of the quality of life. In the system of the four upper classes, or rather varnas, everything is needed, valuable and interrelated.

Let's briefly describe the essence of varnas. In this system, the basis is represented by workers who create and extract material wealth. Further - Vesi, they are busy with the distribution of material resources, and labor in high-tech industries. Varna of knights or managers, as their name implies, manages all processes at the global and local levels. Those in the know, in turn, provide knowledge, are supplied with laborers, and are ruled by knights. This is a very brief idea of varna, from the point of view of life in the settlements, this topic requires separate consideration.

Further, the varna system is projected into architecture, its identification with the types of settlements occurs. In the language of urban planning, this is manifested in the following way: workers - the countryside, vesi - small cities, knights - large cities, those in charge - capital cities.

Let's make a note. This topic is very global in nature, at the level of public policy, therefore, on the scale of small construction activities, it does not matter. This theory is necessary for understanding the subsequent articles, in which certain categories of settlements will be indirectly mentioned. At the moment, a theoretical basis is simply being laid, for ease of understanding in the future. However, the two initial categories from the settlement system are already relevant today, for example, for the creation of projects and the implementation of ecovillages.

The farm. The smallest settlement. It can consist of one or more families. The farm is similar to modern small ecovillages. There is practically no infrastructure, the territory consists entirely of a residential area and a central public core. It can be included in any part of the settlement network.

• Activities: agriculture, crafts, production of conventional or, preferably, unique products.
• Population: several families, the number is not strictly limited.
• Settlement organization: individual houses with large plots of land.
• Education: at home or in a nearby town.
• Culture: central square, individual solutions for self-organization.
• War business: self-government
• Features: the number of courtyards is determined by the size of the central square. The internal organization of the plots is arbitrary, the location of residential buildings along the red line.

Village. This is the largest part of all settlements. The main activity is agriculture. On the territory of the villages there are enterprises for the storage and processing of products. Additionally, there are various workshops for the processing of wood, metals, and so on. All the necessary infrastructure and improvement is provided (road network, public and utility buildings).

• Activities: agriculture, procurement and processing of products. Small craft artels. Extraction of natural resources.
• Agriculture: a ring of fields around the settlement, growing all possible types of plants for maximum self-sufficiency, lack of personal land plots.
• Population: predominance of varna workers. Up to 2000 people.
• Settlement organization: individual houses, united in courtyards or streets.
• Education: preschool, secondary school, specialized schools.
• Culture: temple, house of culture, library, sports complex, square.
• War business: self-government
• Features: when placed in the most favorable lands, part of agricultural products is intended for supply to other territories, not counting the provision of local cities. Residents have special conditions for receiving manufactured products.

Small town. The production of light industry goods is concentrated here, as well as educational institutions related to local enterprises. Several villages are connected to each city, supplying it with resources and finished products.

• Activity: light industry, consisting of several enterprises, from 2 to 8. The size of enterprises is interrelated with the number of citizens. It also produces minerals and their processing. Most of the enterprises operate on local raw materials.
• Population: predominance of workers with an increased number of overweight. A small percentage of knights are managers of enterprises. Up to 6,000 people.
• Organization of the settlement: individual houses, united in courtyards or streets, the presence of a campus and an inn. The inner ring of public buildings. All production facilities are located behind the outer ring.
• Education: preschool, secondary school, specialized (relative to local production)
• Culture: a temple, a house of culture, a fairground and city square, a library, a universal training center, a sports complex.
• War business: an outpost with a replaceable staff, the availability of equipment and a training ground.
• Peculiarities: food supply is made from the villages attached to the city. Cities with different types of industries are distributed evenly throughout the country, and have their own distribution zones. With this strategy, the need for long-distance transportation disappears, with the exception of unique goods.

Big City. The main responsibilities are heavy industry, strategic manufacturing and higher education. Educational and educational institutions occupy a large place here. Several small cities are connected to each large city, supplying it with all the necessary goods and resources. A large city, just like a small one, is supplied with food from the villages and farms that are attached to it.

• Activity: heavy industry from 2 to 8 enterprises. Small cities connected to the big one are its resource bases. Education and science occupy an important place.
• Population: there is no pronounced predominance of one varna, due to the fact that many high-tech enterprises require the participation of all types of people. The large number of educational institutions with teachers and students also affects the composition of the population. Up to 10,000 people.
• Organization of the settlement: individual houses, united in courtyards or streets, social life, the presence of a campus and several inns. The inner ring of public buildings. The second ring is educational institutions and institutes. All production facilities are located behind the outer ring.
• Education: preschool, secondary school, specialized (relatively local production), higher educational institutions.
• Culture: several temples, a house of culture, a fairground and city squares, libraries, a universal training center, sports complexes.
• War business: a garrison with a permanent large composition, the availability of equipment, strategic weapons and a training ground.
• Features: Cities with different types of industries are located evenly throughout the country, have their own distribution zones. A large city plays the role of a transport hub.

Capital city. The priorities of the activity are science, culture, education, management and spiritual enlightenment. Knowledge is primarily produced in these cities. The presence of several capital cities is due to the size of the country.

• Activity: political and economic management of the controlled territory (okrug, in the modern sense). Spiritual culture, science and education.
• Population: the ratio of all varnas is balanced and approximately equal. Up to 100,000 - 144,000 people.
• Organization of the settlement: individual houses, united in courtyards or streets, social life, the presence of student campuses and several inns. The presence of the Kremlin with administration buildings and a central church, the Kremlin is surrounded by an inner ring of walls. The first ring of public buildings. The third ring is educational institutions and institutes. 9 to 17 temples. A large number of libraries and institutions of science and education. The outer wall is a multifunctional building with a gate.
• Education: preschool, secondary school, higher educational institutions, theological seminaries and higher military schools.
• Culture: several temples, houses of culture, fair and city squares, libraries, universal educational centers, sports complexes.
• War business: a central command post, a garrison with a permanent large staff, the availability of equipment, strategic weapons. Elite troops on permanent duty.
• Peculiarities: no industry, except for unique or secret enterprises, the main priority for management and education. In these cities, a special place is given to interaction with other countries, which is reflected in the architecture (embassies and guest houses). The city is surrounded by an outer ring of walls, which are essentially a multifunctional building for utilities, warehouses, military, etc. One of this type of city stands out as central, located in the geometrical center of the country.

An important point is that the above-described types of settlements, in terms of planning, are primarily logical schemes, the real organization in space can be different. Layout types should be discussed in a separate article.

The strict order of the varna hierarchy should be understood correctly. A person can grow above himself, raise the level of consciousness and move on to another type of activity. Similar to the transition from varna to varna, people can move to different cities, depending on their vocation, therefore, there are no rigid ties to the territory, it is important that everyone could realize their talent. Rethinking the approach to work and life, due to the new, but well forgotten old, model of society creates free time, territory and reduces labor costs. In a bright era, everyone has a place and attention is paid. As a result, all free power can be directed towards self-improvement of oneself and one's kind. In the future, all the features of the new settlement system and types of settlements will be considered.