Frugality in Arcology theory relates to the idea of a way of seeing and living in this world that has been lost in the race to modernize. Soleri bucking modern trends and sensibilities put forward this concept of frugality as a way to emphasize a need to live within one's ecological, economic and social means.
Arcosanti in central Arizona is designed to be a live/work environment what that basically means is that you do not need a car to live there because work and other basic services are all accessible within a short distance. At Arcosanti where I have lived off and on for several years, there are several small businesses operated by the Cosanti foundation including a bakery a café and a gallery. Most of the revenues however come from the sale of soleri bells. We are also members of a local health foods cooperative.
What lured me to Arcosanti, was the fact that it positioned itself as an antithesis to suburban sprawl and the automobile. Arcosanti has the some of the basic concepts of what its founder and leader calls a Arcology, primarily in a formidable infrastructure of buildings.