Ever thought of having a planned utopian city in the USA? Well, that's what American billionaire Marc Lore proposed last year in September 2021. While some destinations like Singapore may feel futuristic in many ways, that is nothing compared to what is being envisioned in this proposed utopian city of Telosa.

The idea is that this futuristic city would be built somewhere on cheap land in Appalachia or (more likely) in the American West desert. This project is still in its early stages and time will tell if it will ever get off the ground. But for now, it offers a glimpse of what cities may be like in the future.

The Utopian City of Telosa

It is projected to cost around $400 billion to build - an ambitious project to start a city completely from scratch.

Telosa is the idea of the former Walmart president and billionaire Marc Lore. As he resigned from Walmart he also announced his desire to construct this "city of the future."

Lore's Retirement Plans: Working on a Reality TV Show, Advising Startups, and Building a "City of The Future"

The first phase of the construction of the city would house a starting population of 50,000. But the vision of this city is to have a target population of 5 million people by 2050.

Targe For Phase One:

  • Population: 50,000
  • Size: 1,500 Acres
  • Cost: $25 Billion

Target By 2050:

  • Population: 5 Million
  • Size: 150,000
  • Cost: $400 Billion

If this project really does get the funding and the go-ahead it needs, then the plan is to start welcoming the city's first residents by the year 2030 - only around 8 years from now.

The Vision For Telosa

What is it like to live in Telosa?

"Telosa's streets prioritize bikes and pedestrians. Slow-moving autonomous cars safely share the street with people and nature. Training centers, cultural institutions and retail spill out onto the street where shaded public spaces encourage residents to come together."

The vision for this city is for everything to be only within a 15-minute distance - including schools, basic goods and services, and workplaces. The emphasis of its design is placed on walkability as well as the use of autonomous electric vehicles, bicycles, and scooters.

Name: From Ancient Greek "telos" Meaning "higher purpose"

15-Minute City: It Is Planned For Everything Important To Be Only 15 Minutes Away

As a forward-looking city, no vehicles powered by fossil fuels would be permitted in the city. This should come as no surprise as with electric vehicles, it can be argued the future is already here. Electric vehicles already have what it takes for an epic road trip - and with the new Rivian R1T even off-roading.

The location for this city should it go ahead is likely to be on land in the desert where it is cheap. But this is not yet decided and proposed locations include sites in Texas, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona as well as Appalachia.

The city is planning to place a large emphasis on sustainability. According to their website, it is to have:

  • 100% renewable energy
  • 20% (vs. zero) food residency
  • 90% water reduction
  • 0 waste goal
  • 0 autonomous mobility emissions
  • 500 sq. ft. per capita open space

Related: One Day Travel By Hyperloop: Pipe Dream or Reality?

Why Built Telosa and Emphasis on Equality

The mission of Telosa is intended to create a more equitable and sustainable future. Lore has described his proposal as the "most open, most fair and most inclusive city in the world." It is to counter a system that is seen as creating inequality. They say:

"While the current economic system is a growth engine, it has led to increasing inequality."

In the city is planned to be the "Equitism Tower", this is a massive skyscraper that is intended as the "beacon for the city." The tower would include space for water storage, aeroponic farms, as well as a photovoltaic roof.

Not only is the plan for the city itself to be innovative and all-new, but also the project is planned to promote transparent governance. The city would allow residents to "participate in the decision-making and budgeting process."

Related: 21 Futuristic Destinations That Look Fake, But Actually Exist In 2018

The Project of Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)

Marc Lore has hired Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) an architectural firm to create the master plan for the proposed city.

This is not the first new city that BIG is designing. In 2020 Toyota announced that it had commissioned it to create a master plan for a new 2,000 person city right at the foothills of Mount Fuji in Japan. While that is more like a village than a city, it is intended as well to promise autonomous vehicle testing, robot-assisted living, and smart technology. That project is called Woven City.

BIG has also co-designed Google's new headquarters in London and California.

History tells us that some planned cities can end really badly - like the failed planned city of Salton City in California.

Next: Salton City: Intended As A Resort City, Now Inhabited By Ghosts