Last Updated on June 10, 2023

In a world plagued by climate change and social inequality, the idea of a sustainable and inclusive utopia is an alluring one. But when former Walmart CEO, Marc Lore, announced his plans to build “the most sustainable [and inclusive] city in the world” in the form of Telosa, many were skeptical.

The $400 billion project, which is set to be located across 150,000 acres in either Nevada, Utah, or Arizona, aims to house 50,000 “diverse” people by 2030. The city is being billed as a “new model for society” and is intended to be governed by a principle called “equitism,” which is a mashup of democracy, capitalism, and socialism, and promises to be built with low-carbon technology, sustainable building materials and efficient public transport.

Telosa, a suistainable mega city in the US desert.
Marc Lore’s plans for Telosa, a suistainable smart city in the US desert. Photo courtesy of City of Telosa.

So, what makes building desert megacities so appealing, and what are the potential pitfalls of such ambitious projects?

On one hand, building a city from scratch in a desert location can offer a blank slate for innovative and sustainable design, with the ability to incorporate cutting-edge technology and infrastructure. Additionally, a desert location offers ample space for expansion and the opportunity to create a self-sufficient community.

On the other hand, we’ve seen with past planned cities, the road to utopia is often paved with good intentions and a lot of money, but that’s not enough to deliver results, for a number of reasons.

Telosa will be located in Nevada, Utah, or Arizona
Telosa will be build “somewhere” in the southwest desert, potential hosts are the states of Nevada, Utah, or Arizona.

First of all: It’s. A City. In. The Desert.

One of the major issues with Telosa’s proposed location in the American West is the issue of water procurement. Existing cities in desert-like climates such as Phoenix are already facing potential water shortages and would likely be less than enthused to share their already scarce supply.

Unlike “successful” existing desert megacities like Dubai, Telosa will likely not be located next to an ocean, which means it won’t be able to rely on desalination for water either, and it is currently not clear how will water be procured.

Telosa’s location in the desert also raises other political and logistical issues such as establishing a government, applying for zoning and building permits, and connecting to existing resource and transportation infrastructure.

Another major concern with Telosa is the lack of a sense of community. Lore has stated that he wants to build a community in Telosa, but attracting residents to a brand new city in the middle of a desert is no easy feat.

Dr. Sarah Moser, a researcher and professor of urban planning at McGill University, has studied planned cities for years and has found that none of them have ever achieved their population targets, raising questions about Telosa’s ability to attract and retain residents.

Even if Telosa succeeds in their plans, the question remains whether the residents will be able to form a sense of community and connection to the city.

Official project introduction. Source: City of Telosa.

The Issue With Equitism

“Equitism”, as referred to by Telosa founder Marc Lore, is a form of Georgism, an economic philosophy that argues that land ownership should be in the hands of a public trust, and the profits generated from it should be distributed equally among the community.

The idea is that land is not inherently valuable, but rather its value is created by society and therefore the profits generated from it should be shared by the community rather than just a select few individuals or corporations.

This approach to land ownership is intended to create a more fair and inclusive society, with less socio-economic inequality. It’s a bold idea that, if implemented, could potentially serve as a model for other cities to follow.

That said, there are many potential issues that would arise with Telosa’s equitism, such as how to fairly value land, how to handle disputes over land ownership, and how to ensure that the profits are distributed equitably among residents.

Additionally, it is unclear if enough investors and residents would be willing to participate in such a system, as it would likely require a significant shift in societal norms and economic structures.

While Equitism may be a novel idea, and even an exciting one on paper, it is important to approach it with a healthy dose of realism and skepticism.

Telosa city's streets will be geared towards cyclists and pedestrians.
Concept model for the desert megacity. Telosa city’s streets will be geared towards cyclists and pedestrians. Photo courtesy of City of Telosa.

The Billionaire Dilemma

It’s not uncommon for billionaires with grandiose ideas to propose building massive cities from scratch. From Saudi Arabia’s Neom to China’s Xiong’an, these megacities are often seen as the brainchild of a single visionary, with little input from the community or experts in urban planning.

The problem with this approach is that it often leads to a disconnect between the billionaire’s vision and the needs and wants of the people who will eventually live in the city. These plans are also often plagued by unrealistic population targets and a lack of consideration for the practicalities of building a city, such as water procurement, infrastructure, and government.

It’s also worth noting that Lore himself is a bit of a wild card. He’s a billionaire entrepreneur with no prior experience in city planning, and has a history of making bold, ambitious statements without always following through on them.

He’s also faced criticism for his past business practices, particularly with regard to his time at Quidsi, the parent company of Diapers.com, which was acquired by Amazon in 2010.

The risk of another Elon-Musk-buys-Twitter situation is not to be underestimated.

A $400 Billion Megacity

The cost of building a city from scratch is no small feat, and Telosa’s estimated cost of $400 billion USD is a clear indication of the magnitude of the project.

Even Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, who has an immense personal wealth, is struggling to come up with the $500B USD necessary for his planned city Neom, constructions for which have started in December 2022.

Telosa’s estimated cost of $400B USD is no small feat, and it remains to be seen whether Lore will be able to secure the necessary funding. He has stated that he will rely on outside investment and public-private partnerships, but with the current global economic climate, it’s uncertain if these sources of funding will be available.

Telosa, which will be designed by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, will have to navigate a labyrinth of political and legal hurdles as well as secure funding to make this utopia a reality. With the cost being so high, it remains to be seen whether Lore will be able to secure the necessary funding and make this dream a reality.

The high cost of Telosa is not only a financial concern, but it also raises questions about the long-term viability of the city. Will it be able to generate enough revenue to support itself and pay back its investors? These are all questions that Lore and his team will have to answer before any ground is broken on the project.

Concept model showing the "diverse" commuity of Telosa, including robots and drones.
Concept model showing the “diverse” commuity of Telosa, including robots and drones. Photo courtesy of City of Telosa.

The Silver Lining: The Possibility of Real Change

Despite all the skepticism and potential pitfalls, there is still a silver lining to the Telosa project. While it may not turn out to be the utopia that Marc Lore envisions, it could still serve as a model for sustainable and equitable urban development.

One key aspect of Telosa that sets it apart from other planned cities is its focus on land ownership through the concept of Equitism. This idea posits that the value of land should be shared collectively, rather than being hoarded by a select few individuals or corporations. This could potentially address issues of wealth inequality and provide a more equitable distribution of resources within the city.

Another aspect that differentiates Telosa from other planned cities is its focus on inclusivity and diversity. While many planned cities struggle to attract a diverse population, Telosa specifically aims to create a community that is representative of different races, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This could serve as a model for other cities looking to address issues of urban segregation and gentrification.

It’s worth to compare Telosa with other similar projects like Neom, which is a city being built in Saudi Arabia by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Neom is also a city built from scratch, with a projected population of 1 million people, and focus on sustainable technology and lifestyle. However, Neom’s main goal is to diversify the Saudi economy and reduce its dependence on oil, and it’s been criticized for its lack of transparency and human rights violations.

In conclusion, Telosa is an ambitious and potentially game-changing project. While it may face significant hurdles and may not ultimately succeed in its goals, it could still serve as a valuable example for other cities looking to address issues of sustainability, equity, and inclusivity.

The team behind Telosa should be commended for their bold vision, but it’s important to keep a watchful eye and hold them accountable to ensure that the city truly serves the interests of all its inhabitants, and not just a select few.


Read also: Costruction Begins on Neom’s the Line, Saudi Arabia’s Futuristic Megacity

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