Could You Live The Life Of Rapunzel, High Up In The Clouds?
By Darkwing
@Darkwing (21583)
April 23, 2008 7:28pm CST
England's Capital City has an increasing population. In fact, it's increasing so fast that estimates calculate a need for housing for almost one hundred thousand people every year, up to the year 2016. In order to cope with this rapid expansion without swallowing up existing well-known parks and open spaces, architects have come up with the rather radical idea of building what will be called, the New Town Tower. The tower which will literally be as high as the clouds, reaching as high as fifteen hundred metres into the blue yonder and housing one hundred thousand people. This tower, will be complete with parks, public squares, schools and hospitals, and even an ice rink!
Architects say, "The tower allows for a massive intensification of the city without the need for dramatic alteration of London’s existing fabric." The tower will be a city within our Capital City, with six hundred people occupying a single floor. Each village will encompass twenty floors and around six thousand residents, then divided into three, super districts of thirty three thousand people.
The idea is to build the tower in stages, twenty stories at a time, in order that it may be inhabited whilst building takes place. The main objectice is to reduce movement throughout London by condensing living, working, and entertainment facilities within a single location.
What do you think about this? Would you want to live in a tower this high? Would you like to have every facility possible within a village in the tower, never getting out into the open world? How would you cope, living life in the clouds? I'd hate it, to be honest. What sort of life would that be? I love nature far too much to spend my whole life in a Rapunzel's tower!
4 people like this
13 responses
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
24 Apr 08
Wow how ugly the building looks. I do not think I would love to live in a building like that. I love my single family home with a yard and a pool. I am spoiled because we have an older home with a yard and a pool. The new homes they are building here in CA they are 10 feet apart with no yard and they are two or three stories tall. I love my single story home and my privacy from my neighbors.
I am one of thoes people who do not like to live in an appartment. Some people love to live in appartments or condos. Now if you love living like that it would be convientent not to have to go far to get what you need. I can understand with the price of gasoline not wanting to drive to get your groceries or do your errands. You could just take the elevator to the 6th floor to the market, the 8th floor the pharmacy and then the 60th floor the doctors.
@Darkwing (21583)
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24 Apr 08
I agree, my friend... it looks like a chimney! 
Just imagine that reaching a mile into the sky! Soon, there would be dozens of these towers dotted about, and nobody would ever see the light of day... I'm sure that's not healthy.
I live in the countryside, about thirty five miles south of London, and I don't intend ever to move up there. Why can't they just tell people "no more building, you'll have to find housing outside the city"? Or, control the number of immigrants better. We just don't have the room to keep on building all the time.
Brightest Blessings, my friend and thank you for your contribution.
Just imagine that reaching a mile into the sky! Soon, there would be dozens of these towers dotted about, and nobody would ever see the light of day... I'm sure that's not healthy.
I live in the countryside, about thirty five miles south of London, and I don't intend ever to move up there. Why can't they just tell people "no more building, you'll have to find housing outside the city"? Or, control the number of immigrants better. We just don't have the room to keep on building all the time.
Brightest Blessings, my friend and thank you for your contribution.2 people like this
@Darkwing (21583)
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24 Apr 08
No, it's not fair on the true Londoners, and you're right, we don't want to lose any more countryside. A lot of that is protected by National Trust anyway, but if we controlled immigration, don't you think it would help? For a tiny island, we sure do accept a lot of people in, and our economy is suffering badly, let alone over population.
2 people like this
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
24 Apr 08
The problem with not letting anymore people live in the city where would they go? Then we would lose the county side. I agree we do not need all the chimey looking things build up a mile in the sky but we need to do something about over population of the world. I know a lot of people will disagree with that statement. People do not want to be told they cannot have as many child as they want.
2 people like this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
24 Apr 08
I sure woldnt like it either would they never get out to walk the city? What if it fell down on people who live at the bottomI know ya dont want it to expand more than it is now but to build this tall of a builing to live in? oh no I wouldnt like it at al the tallest thing we have here is the stratisfere and its over 500 foot tall you can see it from any where in the valley and they are building condamidions almost as tall but our sky line sure is changing . Might owrk but I dont know I would be afrid it wouldnt be safe.
2 people like this
@Darkwing (21583)
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24 Apr 08
There are a number of open voids in the building, supposedly so it doesn't blow over or something like that. Some of these open voids will house things such as botanical gardens, parks, open-air tennis courts and an ice skating rink, but they're all so high up!!! I wouldn't like that at tall. Some of the voids go right through the tower, so that I guess high winds couldn't take hold.
Take a look at the link, my friend, and the picture below!
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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24 Apr 08
Well, if I have my calculations right, the tower would be a mile high, but I guess if the did want to get out into the old city, then they could. It's just a long way to travel in a lift (elevator), don't you think? Would it be safe from planes for a start? They fly pretty low over parts of London on their approach to Heathrow, so I doubt this will ever get off the ground. I hope not, anyway. The best thing to do is to say they can't build any more housing in the city and house people outside it. London is overpopulated already!!!
Brightest Blessings, my dear friend and thank you for your contribution. xxx
1 person likes this
@deeeky (3667)
• Edinburgh, Scotland
24 Apr 08
Surely they can come up with better ideas than that. Even I can come up with ideas above my station!
How about another type of london near London.
Maybe they could build a basement under London.
Then they coould build one underground next to the channel tunnel.
My list is endless.
@Darkwing (21583)
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24 Apr 08
The Chunnel is a long way from London, my friend. It would have to be one heck of a big city underground, and very claustrophobic. I think I'd fancy that even less! Of course, if Enoch Powell were still here today, he'd have the perfect answer, don't you think?
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution my dear friend. x
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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24 Apr 08
Ah, but you wouldn't be happy without your countryside treks, my friend. I just can't imagine being in a tower all day, never getting out into the sunlight and being at one with nature. It would drive me nuts!
Brightest Blessings, my friend, and thank you for your contribution. xxxx
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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24 Apr 08
Raydene... take a look at this website, and then tell me you would like to live here. There's a botanical garden planned for the 457th floor and that's not the top! The Fire Station would be on the 419th floor and an open air tennis court on the 348th floor! I would hate it! It's great for youngsters and those who don't get about too well, I guess, but not for me... I like my freedom to roam. Besides, it's an eyesore!
http://popularchitecture.com/supertower/
It might interest you to go to this link and read about the plans, my friend. xxx
1 person likes this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
24 Apr 08
Hi Darkwing! I don't think i would like to live in such a tower! I love also to see the outside world. I love taking my walks with nature. I would feel isolated if I will just limit my life in a small community and restrict my freedom and movements. It is like exiling myself. Just my thoughts dear friend! Take care and have a nice day!
@Darkwing (21583)
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24 Apr 08
I agree... I value my freedom to roam, my dear friend. I was wondering how they're going to incorporate parks and things within the tower. I'm sure that air conditioning wouldn't really make it feel the same. No... it's not for me. I'm indoors now, but I have all the windows open, can smell the fresh air, and can see the countryside outside my window. Don't want any tower closing me in!
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution, my dear friend. You have a great day too!!! xxx
1 person likes this
@FaerieAne2003 (679)
• United States
24 Apr 08
What would be the point? People obviously want to live IN LONDON, not in a city 80 stories above London. There would never be a reason to go out into the actual city where they wanted to live in the first place. Plus there's the risk of that whole building catching one good breeze and toppling right over. It sounds pretty ridiculous to me. That's why Atlanta has all the suburbs around it. It wouldn't be what it is today if not for "expansion". Atlanta and New York City are wonderful places, and I'm sure people over there think the same about London. They wouldn't be the same, the "city life" wouldn't be the same, if all the people never even had a reason to go out into the "real" world. Tower living...I've written a rant on that. You know how I feel on the subject. But I never thought my rant would really come true. Very, very, very scary.
2 people like this
@mummymo (23706)
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24 Apr 08
I can see the practical side to it Darkwing honey and I know there are probably many who would love the convenience of it but I don't think I would like it at all! I think I would worry about fire etc - can you imagine a building of that size in an emergency? No thanks not for me! xxx
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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24 Apr 08
They even have Fire Stations in the building my friend. We're talking BIG here! lol.
I think it might appeal to Yuppies, Batchelors and Gay Couples, but it's not for me. I like to get outside, and walk... you know me!
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution, my dear friend. xxx
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
24 Apr 08
This is very interesting... it reminded me of the movie "The Fifth Element" starrying Bruce Willis and Mila Jovovich... the buildings and homes are way up in the clouds... but the one you described is a lot nicer...
I think if the is the only way to go... then so be it... it would be interesting to live high above the clouds... but i am quite concern about the storms, typhoons, and hurricanes... buildings should be built with the strongest foundation... but i would try it... if it ever happens here in my country...
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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24 Apr 08
I suppose it might be ok for those who couldn't get far to amenities. They intend to include parks, and amenities, and it looks, from the pictures as though those would be open, at the side of the tower, but I couldn't stand being cooped up like that; to live, take my recreation, and be hospitalised all in a small space... I can't imagine not having my freedom. I live in the countryside in a small village, and I value my freedom to roam. It just wouldn't do me.
Youngsters might think differently too, but I'm too set in my ways, I'm afraid. Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution, my friend.
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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24 Apr 08
Maybe you'd be interested in reading the website with the proposals. I can't get my head round it at all... open air alpine garden on the 457th floor, and seven cores thick, incorporating a traffic way and huge lifts? Cripes!!!
http://popularchitecture.com/supertower/
http://popularchitecture.com/supertower/1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
24 Apr 08
I can't help thinking of the safety factor of building so high..I mean god forbid there's a fire, how would firemen get to the fire all the way up?? I live in the NYC area, and to be honest I've never been a fan of skyscrapers. It amuses me no end that tourists come to NYC and think the tall buildings are fantastic...yuk, I don't--guess I got a bit of the country gal at heart and rather see nature, not skyscrapers where one can't even see the sky properly--my apartment building for instance is only three stories high, but across the street is a ten story building blocking all sky views
2 people like this
@Darkwing (21583)
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24 Apr 08
I guess if there are three super villages, and they each have a hospital, then they would have a fire station too. Also, they would possibly take into consideration the fire hazard and use fireproof materials to build with. I don't really know, my friend, but a good point made.
That's what I liked about Salem, Oregon. Not a skyscraper to be seen!
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution, my dear friend. xx
1 person likes this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
24 Apr 08
No I couldn't. If I couldn't have a garden right outside my door and at night be able to see endless stars, I would lose my mind.
Perhaps if I was younger and not so tired of the hustle and bustle of making a living, I would feel differently. I loved living in the city in my twenties, but even then I had a garden, with birds, and stray cats and earth to run my hands through and grow things in. Concrete jungels and ivory towers are not and never have been my thing.
2 people like this
@Darkwing (21583)
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24 Apr 08
I agree... just to walk around the garden, barefoot sometimes, feeling the earth beneath my feet and connecting with nature, is a very important part of life.
A tower of this kind... even the city, would drive me stir crazy. I like my freedom from the humdrum city life... and to live in the countryside. I value life so much more than the townies and city slicks.
Brightest Blessings and thank you for your contribution, my dear friend. xx
2 people like this
@FaerieAne2003 (679)
• United States
28 Apr 08
I've had more time to think since my last answer. I think that this "New Town Tower" coincides neatly with the end of the Mayan calendar (2012), the end of the 2000 years since Christ's time on earth, the technological explosions, and is a carbon copy of the original Tower of Babel. It scares the daylights out of me, and I get creepy cold chills every time I see a picture of that horrific edifice. Anyone else feel the same way?
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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28 Apr 08
Oh WOW! I never thought of it like that! It differs slightly to the Tower of Babel, but you're right in that it stands in the clouds, the openings at the side are similar and the big archway at the bottom, "the gate" is very, very similar.
My friend... I'm beginning to think this is an April Fool's prank, and I'm going to check back on the sites. Thank you for pointing this out, and don't be afraid. I'm pretty sure, as it's almost a copy, that it's a prank!
I'll let you know what research throws up. Brightest Blessings, my dear friend, and thank you, again. xxx
@Darkwing (21583)
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28 Apr 08
Well... it seems that news of this building may have broken in early March... and reports leaked around 18th, so an April Fool's prank is ruled out I would think.
Also, designer is named, and shows address and telephone number, so I think it's for real. That doesn't mean to say though, that he didn't draw from the Tower of Babel for his design. It's too similar for him not to have. I guess I'll just have to keep an eye on the updates, but it's in World Business News Mag. xxxx
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
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24 Apr 08
It sounds horrible I already feel cut off from nature living in a city and this would be much worse.
I'm also scared of heights 
so I couldn't even if I wanted to. Surely there must be another solution to lack of space. The problem with London is too much business is conducted there and it should be moved out to other cities or even towns.
I already feel cut off from nature living in a city and this would be much worse.
I'm also scared of heights so I couldn't even if I wanted to. Surely there must be another solution to lack of space. The problem with London is too much business is conducted there and it should be moved out to other cities or even towns.1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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24 Apr 08
I suppose if the apartments were on the inside of the tower, and amenities on the outside, the fear of heights might be eliminated somewhat. But, we would still have the knowledge that we were high up. I'd hate it!
Yes, London has been made the heart of the business world, and also, too many immigrants and refugees are housed in and around the city. They can't really expand outwards any more... there's no space left. So what to do? I certainly don't like this idea, and wish I could come up with a valid suggestion. There's one thing's for sure... I don't want them developing my part of the world too much more. We already having towns running into towns in the south.
Brightest Blessings, my friend, and thank you for your contribution. xx
1 person likes this
@wickedangel (1636)
• Dominican Republic
5 May 08
Hi there Darkwing, I am not sure if I answered this or not. I haven't deleted it from my email notifications. I know I was going to answer it but I think the computer did a 'dirty' on me and crashed.
Anyway, there is absolutely no way I could live up in the clouds - I am not good with heights and the idea of living up there with bombs, airplanes and fires at the back of my mind I really don't think I would have a minutes rest.
Plus I like to live near the ground and feel the earth's magnetism, the spirits etc., too. It is a good idea and I am sure there are hundreds if not thousands of people who would do this - it feels like it is something from a sci-fi book. But look what happened to those areas where they built the tower blocks. They just don't work. People feel caged in no matter what, they need the free space to be able to move around in.
Instead of trying to spend money like this, they should rebuild the brown sites - there are hundreds or even thousands of them in London alone. They should encourage people to move away from London. They should improve the transport systems and make them more affordable. All these things would go towards making our lives a little bit more liveable!
Great idea but I don't think it will work. Thanks for sharing this with us Darkwing.
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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6 May 08
I'm the same. Imagine how awful it would be living near the top, and it taking ages to get out into the open air. Although they have the open areas of parkland and such, I don't think I could take it, and wouldn't one's ears pop? The pressure up in the clouds must be greater, surely.
I agree with all your sentiments. We've taken on far more than we can chew in this country, especially in the city areas. We've just come to the stage where the overspill is to great to cope with! Bring back Enoch!!!
Brightest Blessings, my friend, and thank you for your contribution. xxx
