If I can go completely off topic for a moment, I'll address something that lostatsea said:

Quote Originally Posted by lostatsea View Post
The more primitive the "Society" the more they made do with what they had. Adapt/ move or die out . Oft times to deadly consequences. Note the number of ruins in our own world. The more advanced a civilization the more they alter their surroundings to suit themselves.
If you are implying that old civilisations 'failed' and are hence in ruins, I would suggest a bit of a twist on that idea. The city of Catal Huyuk in central Turkey is one of the oldest ruined cities anywhere in the world. It also lasted for nearly 2000 years, making it longer lasting than all modern countries, several major religions, and the majority of the world's cities. Just something to think about.

Now, returning to topic, I definitely agree that no city, modern, historic, or fantastic, can be utterly self-sufficient and introverted.