A Consideration of the Zoetic Engineering Grand Challenge

Abstract The Zoetic Engineering Grand Challenge is a proposal to catalyse work in the field of Cyber-Bio-Physical Systems by attacking the goal of creating a Living Skyscraper. This work builds upon that original idea, introducing the concept of the Zoetic Arcology: a proposal for how the tools of Artificial Life can be applied to the creation of a self-building and self-sustaining alternatives to conventional urban environments. The underlying design philosophy of this concept will be outlined, drawing from the ideas of Arcology and Reconciliation Ecology, followed by a discussion of how it could be implemented from an engineering perspective: investigating pathways to the design and development of the structure; the requirements of that structure’s starting point; how to implement the concept of growth in an artificial physical system; and what raw materials & energy generation methods might be utilised. Finally, a road map of future research is outlined.