Abstract

The article presents a conceptual project prepared by a couple of English architects. The project involves constructing a network of wind power plants for the centre of London. "Cities may get windy at times, especially these located on the British Isles. Despite this fact, municipal power-generating wind turbines are rather rare phenomena. David Marks and Julia Barfield, mainly known as the authors of the 'London Eye', are preparing a silent revolution. They prepared a project which involves placing 6,600 wind turbine power plants in London by 2012, when the city will host summer Olympics. This project complies with declarations of politicians who show interest in a proecological strategy for the city. The wind turbine will not be like the familiar three-blade propellers.
The architects designed Y-shaped masts-structures, on which 5 turbines are placed. Each of the turbines has vertical spin-axes which secure maximum use of wind, regardless of its direction. [...] The authors like presenting their project from a historical perspective and remind us that energy was generated in the city centres as early as in the 19th century. Later, mostly due to air pollution, power plants were relocated to places as far from residential areas as possible. Do new technologies have a better chance to restore power plants in the city centres?