Nãoarcon

Nãoarcon is a neologism used in Portuguese-language speculative discourse to describe a stance or concept that rejects centralized, megastructure-focused urban models in favor of distributed, modular, and participatory systems. The term combines não (not) and arcon, a coined reference to arcology, the idea of a self-contained, highly integrated urban habitat. In this sense, nãoarcon functions as a shorthand for approaches that resist concentrated control by large-scale architectural or technological authorities.

Etymology and usage

The word appears primarily in online discussions, essays on future cities, and in speculative fiction circles. It is not part of formal urban theory and lacks an established scholarly definition. Typical usage frames nãoarcon as a critique of single‑purpose megastructures and as an advocacy for decentralized infrastructures, open standards, local governance, and resilient networks. The concept is often invoked to contrast with arcology-inspired visions, highlighting modularity, interoperability, and bottom‑up innovation.

Conceptual scope

In fiction and worldbuilding, nãoarcon can denote communities, factions, or policies that prioritize local autonomy, participatory design processes, and adaptable, small‑scale technologies. In urban design discussions, it is used to discuss alternatives to large, centralized developments, emphasizing distributed housing, energy, and transportation systems that are easier to modify in response to changing needs.

See also: arcology, decentralization, urbanism, participatory design.