Regarding the comments on the Dual Ring Village.
Thank you for the comments and criticisms.
Objections noted:
- Monolithic structures susceptible to urban fires.
- Fire breaks missing.
- Obsolete fixed fortification.
- Susceptible to bombardment, siege.
These may be true. However, the outstanding features and functions of a dual ring village are not constrained to that of a defensive fortification against a military force.
Engineering benefits
The curved walls are self supporting, stronger than equivalent flat walls, and thus outperform rectilinear structures of the equivalent volume and surface area. The dividing walls further strengthen the inner and outer curved walls. The enclosed spaces are more energy efficient, having only two or three exposed surfaces, out of six faces. Massive barrier walls can resist side forces that would otherwise crush contemporary construction. In addition, such thick walls would provide protection from gamma radiation.
Consider the following natural disasters that might have been abated or dismissed if the locals were dwelling within five-story, monolithic, dual ring villages, fire resistant, constructed with massive barrier walls, and watertight gateways.
- Hurricanes, with storm surge, flying debris;
- Tornadoes, high wind and flying debris;
- Flooding, ice dams, rainfall, tsunamis;
- Mudslides;
- Blizzards, snowstorms, with high drifts;
- Forest fires;
- Earthquake, meteor shockwave;
- Vermin, insects, mold, mildew, pests, pestilence; and
- Weather extremes (hot or bitter cold).
The solitary gated and fortified DRV may not stop a modern military force, but one does not leave one’s door unlocked and windows open because a determined burglar won’t be stopped by such feeble attempts at home security.
The intrinsic security aspects of a DRV with single gateways into each ring do offer a measure of protection against opportunistic predators, as well as providing enhanced security for children playing in the central park. (The gateway to the inner park could be 180 degrees from the main ring gateway, impeding any attempt at a snatch and run.)
Furthermore, the DRV can be part of a larger community composed of multiple DRVs clustered together. In that situation, a post-SHTF gang of MZBs would not be able to lay siege or attack all the DRVs without suffering significant losses. And the loss of one DRV would not spell doom for the others.
The same point can be said for a flood. A single breach of a levee might doom a traditional community. But a cluster of DRVs would not be at risk, if engulfed in flood waters. (In fact, with a little foresight, a drop down dock may be available to permit boats to tie up.)
The concept of layered defense is not new, and there’s plenty of archaeological evidence that walled compounds within walled cities was commonplace, to reduce the risk from intruders and predators.
In summation, the DRV might not be a Cheyenne mountain of defense, but it can be a wise precaution against natural disasters as well as man made disasters.