Top 10 Futuristic Cities Being Built RIGHT NOW
#10: The Line
This groundbreaking initiative by Saudi Arabia is envisioned as part of the Neom mega-project, aimed at revolutionizing urban living. Announced in 2017, Neom is part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan to reduce its dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public service sectors. Unlike traditional cities, The Line proposes a linear development stretching over 100 miles and housing a million residents while preserving the natural environment. This futuristic city plans to eliminate cars, streets, and carbon emissions, creating a zero-gravity area that is entirely pedestrian-focused. The project emphasizes sustainability, relying on 100% renewable energy. Facilities and services are intended to be seamlessly integrated, ensuring that all essential needs are within a five-minute walk for residents.
#9: Forest City
Located in Johor, Malaysia, near the Singapore border, this ambitious eco-friendly development reimagines a city living in harmony with nature. Spanning over 1,386 hectares, this green city is designed to be a model of sustainable living, aiming to minimize its carbon footprint through extensive greenery and eco-friendly technologies. It features vertical gardens, green rooftops, and a car-free space, promoting clean air and reducing heat. Forest City focuses on renewable energy, smart waste management, and water conservation systems to create a self-sustaining ecosystem. With residential, commercial, and leisure spaces, it's aimed at attracting global citizens who value eco-conscious living.
#8: Songdo International Business District
This area in Incheon, South Korea, is a prominent example of a smart city created from the ground up. Launched in the early 2000s, Songdo embodies the integration of technology with urban planning.The city spans 1,500 acres of reclaimed land from the Yellow Sea and was developed with a focus on green spaces, energy efficiency, and reduced carbon emissions. It features advanced infrastructure, including extensive public transportation options and an integrated waste management system that eliminates the need for garbage trucks through pneumatic tubes. It has attracted global attention for its innovative approach to modern living, although it has also faced challenges related to occupancy rates and achieving the vibrant community life envisioned by its planners.
#7: Masdar City
Masdar City in the United Arab Emirates focuses on minimizing ecological footprints. It aims to be one of the world's most sustainable communities, largely powered by solar energy and other renewable energy sources. The city incorporates cutting-edge technology and traditional architectural elements to maximize efficiency and comfort in the harsh desert climate. Features include a car-free environment with personal rapid transit systems, extensive use of solar panels, and buildings constructed with sustainable materials. While Masdar City has been lauded for its ambitious sustainability goals and innovative technologies, its development has progressed slowly, leading to adjustments in its completion timeline and scope.
#6: Amaravati
Envisioned as a sustainable and smart capital city for the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati represents an ambitious project aimed at embodying innovation in sustainability, green spaces, and clean energy. Originally conceived to be at the forefront of India's development, Amaravati seeks to integrate cutting-edge technology and eco-friendly infrastructure to create a model city for the future. However, the project has encountered various challenges, including political changes, funding issues, and delays in construction. Despite these hurdles, the vision for Amaravati continues to be a significant discussion point in the context of developing smart cities that prioritize environmental sustainability and living standards.
#5: Tianfu New Area
Situated in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, Tianfu represents a significant initiative by the Chinese government to drive economic growth and development in the western part of the country. Announced in 2011, the area includes three cities and was conceived to become a modern metropolitan area that supports innovation and sustainable living. It’s meant to be a hub for high-tech industries, including information technology, biotechnology, and clean energy, aiming to attract both domestic and international businesses. The development plan for Tianfu New Area includes not only advanced industrial parks but also residential communities, educational institutions, and cultural facilities with a strong emphasis on green spaces, public parks, and environmentally-friendly transportation systems.
#4: Telosa
Telosa is a proposed new city project announced by billionaire Marc Lore, aiming to embody the principles of sustainability and equality. The vision for Telosa includes creating a city from scratch that would set new standards for urban living, with a strong focus on community well-being, sustainability, and transparent governance. Key features of the proposed city include state-of-the-art sustainable architecture, a green transportation system, and renewable energy sources to minimize its environmental impact. Telosa's ambitious goal is to serve as a model for future cities, addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing cities today, including housing affordability, climate change, and social equity.
#3: Eko Atlantic
This ambitious development project on the coast of Lagos, Nigeria is planned to address chronic housing shortages and protect the city from erosion and flooding. This futuristic city is being built on reclaimed land from the Atlantic Ocean and aims to become a new economic hub for not only Nigeria but also West Africa. Spanning over 10 square kilometers, Eko Atlantic promises to offer residential, commercial, and leisure spaces, all developed with sustainability and modern infrastructure in mind. The project includes advanced coastal defense systems to prevent flooding, making it a trailblazing example of climate-resilience. While it has sparked excitement for its potential to boost economic growth, there are concerns about environmental impacts and accessibility for Lagos's broader population.
#2: Akon City
Announced by global music star Akon, his self-named city is envisioned to be built in Senegal, West Africa. This futuristic city aims to operate entirely on renewable energy, with a special focus on solar energy, reflecting Akon’s involvement in providing solar power solutions across Africa. It promises a blend of modern living, technology, and sustainability, featuring eco-friendly buildings, a unique economy powered by the Akoin cryptocurrency, and various amenities including a resort, tech hub, recording studios, and healthcare facilities. While the idea of Akon City has generated significant interest for its innovative approach to development and its potential to stimulate economic growth, it remains in the early stages, with its feasibility and impact on the local community and environment still to be fully assessed.
#1: Oceanix Busan
This revolutionary project was announced as the world's first prototype of a sustainable floating city. Developed in partnership with the UN-Habitat, the Oceanix organization, and the city of Busan, South Korea, it’s designed to address global challenges such as rising sea levels, population growth, and the need for sustainable living solutions. Oceanix Busan aims to showcase how floating structures can provide resilient, sustainable habitats for communities, particularly in coastal and low-lying areas threatened by climate change. The concept involves creating modular floating platforms that can support residential, commercial, and recreational areas. These platforms are intended to be self-sufficient, with energy sourced from renewable technologies, closed-loop water systems, and integrated food production methods.
Which of these cities sounds the most intriguing to you? Let us know in the comments.