Arcosanti, set in the high desert of Arizona, is one man's struggling prototype of the city of the future. For over 40 years architect Paolo Soleri has been espousing his ideas of an "arcology" (architecture + ecology) that "advocates cities designed to maximize the interaction and accessibility associated with an urban environment; minimizes the use of energy, raw materials and land, reducing waste and environmental pollution; and allows interaction with the surrounding natural environment." (Cosanti Foundation, 2005)

Simultaneously a construction project and a vehicle for learning, Arcosanti's crew is composed of a diverse and constantly changing stream of participants. This forum will include an of overview of the theory and history of Arcosanti, personal experiences related by former residents, and a discussion of the future of Arcosanti and its possible relevance in the fields of Planning and Architecture.

Are the utopian ideals of Arcosanti still relevant? What is Arcosanti's place in the world of Planning and Architecture? How do utopian ideals fit into everyday planning?