Lessons in Urban Planning from Blade Runner, The Jetsons, Star Wars, and Futurama

Tony Chavira of Master Planning examined the livability of five futuristic cities depicted in science fiction franchises: The Jetsons, Futurama, Blade Runner, and Star Wars (Coruscant and Tatooine). Here's what he has to say about the disadvantages of Luke Skywalker's home planet:

Tatooine has very few natural resources aside from sand and water. The indigenous “sand people” are violent and roam around in packs with weapons with few in authority to stop them, which makes it dangerous to be outside at night (or during the day in some cases). On top of that, there is really no centralized authority on the planet aside from an area that is deliberately sectioned off for an international mafia family. Similar to the way “thug life” is structured, the Hutts give back to the community it exploits, and runs the planet like a fiefdom. Because of this, and as there is little possibility for economic growth deriving from the planet’s natural resources, it is a very difficult and harsh environment to live day-to-day.

http://fourstory.org/features/story/sci-fi-density-and-social-justice/ via reddit