City Narrative
OHIO - Novo-Mondum
In a pristine environment east of historic Reykjavik, Iceland, in the year 2171 lies a technological and environmental urban wonder, Novo-Mondum. A city settled by immigrants from all backgrounds, Novo-Mondum promotes equality for all people and respect for our planet. Novo-Mondum ‘s population of 53,169 citizens strive to improve their city as well as the world.
Novo-Mondum is a representative republic in which an elected council of fifteen members, functioning as the civic law-making body, and a cabinet of city-service managers and engineers combine to protect and direct urban affairs. Judicial advisors, trained in law, psychology, and sociometrics, guide decision making. Medicorps , c-Tecs , legal-technicians and emergency transponders maintain health and safety conditions.
Four, diverse recreational centers offer activities such as Virtu-cize™ competitive sports and subaquics-- underwater observation chambers containing lecture halls, and under water hang gliding stations. Interactive performance art and multicultural, virtu-musique experiences are also available at Maher Hall. Novo-Mondum’s optimal climate also provides intense vertical climbing as well as simu-beaches for radical surfing.
Resourceful transportation systems abound. Interconnected public transportation hubs offer optional modes of travel and transport from the hydroelectric NOVOrail to hydrapods to solmobiles. Public transportation is free; private remains taxed to support safe and efficient routes. Transportation stations radiate outward, uniting all industrial, commercial and residential sections.
Aesthetic architectural styles and enviro-responsive construction materials characterize the city’s approach to structural units. Novo-Mondum’s newest residences, Spindolas, feature on-site water purification and delivery. Reinforced alumina—coated with solar collectors is the chief building material. Attention to balancing green space with residential, commercial and industrial zones preserves the city’s appeal.
Education in Novo-Mondum is also a high priority. The last century’s technology surge transformed Novo-Mondum’s educational system. Every citizen’s right to personalized education encompasses basic learning; specialized learning, focused around each individual’s strengths; then custom specialization; and, finally, two to six years of career field training. Post-graduation coursework offers lifetime learning opportunities.
Novo-Mondum citizens receive government-funded health care. Mondum Medical School is superlative. Its curriculum utilizes modern medical technologies, while honing students’ critical, rational, and interpersonal skills. Computerized simulation, coupled with mandatory internships, make Novo-Mondum’s physicians world-class. Cutting-edge medical nanotechnologies and procedures are first virtu-tested, and then applied at the Medical School and Blackwell Hospital. The latest priority protocol reverses cellular degeneration—retarding aging’s related characteristics and afflictions.
Novo-Mondum uses revolutionary forms of clean energy in order to power its city, as well as encouraging citizens to conserve their precious natural resources Novo-Mondum capitalizes on its strategic location, atop a geothermal hotspot near the Atlantic Ocean, harnessing geothermal energy and hydropower. Solar-collecting building materials provide additional energy. This multifaceted system is not only ecologically responsible, but has freed Novo-Mondum from its previous dependence on foreign fossil fuels. Clean energy also serves as a main export.
Novo- Mondum continues to prosper and preserve our natural resources for future generations. In conclusion, Novo-Mondum reflects the values of human equality and human’s interrelationship with nature. To these principles, we adhere.
Essay
OHIO - Novo-Mondum
Novo-Mondum, near Reykjavik, Iceland, epitomizes ecological innovations. Geothermal energy and microbial fuel cells power the city, minimizing negative environmental impact. The infrastructure system supports the continuance and growth of the community, as exemplified in the Spindolas, the newest residential units, featuring innovative, on-site water treatment systems.
Constructed around cylindrical access columns housing each structure’s utility infrastructures, the Spindolas spiral counter-clockwise in a staircase-like pattern, providing an interlocking storm water collection/transference system for each structure. Rising 400 feet, with individual units at five-foot increments, the Spindolas feature three-story, 2,100 square feet of living space per unit—with customizable walls surrounding a central, monitoring hub. The modifiable layouts feature cooking, dining, bath and living areas on the first floor, sleeping quarters and baths on the second level, and utilities and recreation on the third.
Each unit’s energy supply emanates from microbial fuel cells within the water systems. Voltage meters monitor and regulate energy output—establishing efficient usage. If malfunctions occur, geothermal-powered steam turbines provide auxiliary power.
The water system utilizes transpiration. The water is circulated through wastewater—from all interior sources in each unit--collected in a three-level, 8 foot tank filled with microbial fuel cells. The fuel cells consist of charged Desulfitobacterium that generate energy from eating waste and transferring it to membranes. Desulfitobacterium consume human waste, larger solids and smaller particles by ingestion. Exterior water collection from run-off collects in v-traps, and is reconstituted through nanofiltration sieves. All treated water filters through consecutive monitoring systems which re-circulate the water to gray and potable tanks.
Gray water travels through a series of pipes that lead to the vertical farm levels atop the Spindolas. Individual Spindolas will need 1/15th of an acre of hydroponic farmland. A=amount of pods, and V=acres of vertical farm: V=A x 1/15. Gray water also is distributed to commodes, material washing stations, and landscape usage.
Treated water is used to hydroponically grow soybeans. The soybeans absorb the water pollutants and transpire potable water. Encased solar panels provide energy to maximize condensation in ceiling panels above the farm. Condensation collects in a tank below the farm levels. This water is distributed to each Spindola unit, for immediate use or storage in an auxiliary tank below the home. Collection drains also convert storm water into usable water by circulating it through the main system.
Potable water passes through further microbial filtration. Dual-controlled, sensor-monitored faucets maintain limited or extended flow—minimizing wasteful consumption. Condensation units—related to problematic past home air-control systems—are another efficient, ecologically sound water source. Nanofiltration units assure standards for potable consumption.
Teams of Novite engineers (chemical, mechanical and civil) monitor the Spindolas’ hydrosystems’ overall performance from a remote location—receiving data from photo-telemitters and activating nano-reparations. The chemical engineer supervises the Desulfitobacterium and the steel creating-solvents as well as researching the most energy efficient charge for the fuel cells. The mechanical engineer inspects and refits malfunctioning pipe and monitors failure mechanical malfunctions. The civil engineer is in charge of the structure of the building, monitoring wear on the transparent alumina and overall building stress reports. Each has the ability to activate backup systems in each living unit.
System malfunctions follow a three-step hierarchy of solutions. The first mandates locations of problems. The second alerts citizens in the units—activating photosensory-monitors. The color-coded system guides the residents to activate backups systems from the home terminal. The system shows which type of problem is occurring and the suggested option. Options may include flushing self-sealing agents through the system, circulating unclogging fluids, or dispatching the nano-reparation units to maintain optimal water standards. Third, the engineers’ station is contacted. Back up potable water tanks, located in the utility housing, provide emergency water supplies if system support is required.
Water supplies are periodically renewed. Every three months, the water from each home recirculates to an urban, metro-filtration station and into a reservoir. Clean water from a secondary reservoir is used to fuel the vertical farm, the central exterior collection and filtration site.
Novo-Mondum’s Spindolas stands as an example to the world of ecologically sound engineering design and aesthetic architecture. Novo-Mondum pledges continued research and progress. It promises—its citizens as well as the world’s—to protect, preserve and prosper.
Works Cited
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