@helenakeatinge.bsky.social
certainly has bigger things to be worrying about at the moment. Maybe the key takeaways from this city are both optimism but also prioritisation. After years of conflict and humanitarian crisis, it feels almost right that the first priority was not to chuck a ton of money into a huge master plan.
November 10, 2025 at 1:02 AM
certainly has bigger things to be worrying about at the moment. Maybe the key takeaways from this city are both optimism but also prioritisation. After years of conflict and humanitarian crisis, it feels almost right that the first priority was not to chuck a ton of money into a huge master plan.
Given the fact that South Sudan only gained independence in 2011, I can see that building a new city would make a lot of sense. However, the fact that we are now 14 years on and no progress has been made is pretty telling regarding the feasibility of the project. I agree with you that South Sudan -
November 10, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Given the fact that South Sudan only gained independence in 2011, I can see that building a new city would make a lot of sense. However, the fact that we are now 14 years on and no progress has been made is pretty telling regarding the feasibility of the project. I agree with you that South Sudan -
is to take lessons learnt from much smaller developments and then scale them up. Some of the new cities being built worldwide at the moment seem destined to fail, because aiming to build a city to accommodate millions, all while using brand new technology, seems like a huge risk.
November 10, 2025 at 12:51 AM
is to take lessons learnt from much smaller developments and then scale them up. Some of the new cities being built worldwide at the moment seem destined to fail, because aiming to build a city to accommodate millions, all while using brand new technology, seems like a huge risk.
I think that small-scale projects are potentially some of the most interesting, because it feels more realistic that they will actually come to fruition, and then there are SO many lessons to be learnt from their creation. I think that one of the best ways to understand what is needed for new cities
November 10, 2025 at 12:50 AM
I think that small-scale projects are potentially some of the most interesting, because it feels more realistic that they will actually come to fruition, and then there are SO many lessons to be learnt from their creation. I think that one of the best ways to understand what is needed for new cities
cle that you linked it seems like GIFT city does offer plenty of services for tourists and residents alike - it is interesting that it still has not succeeded despite potentially offering more than other SEZs. Proximity doesn't seem to be an issue either...
November 10, 2025 at 12:48 AM
cle that you linked it seems like GIFT city does offer plenty of services for tourists and residents alike - it is interesting that it still has not succeeded despite potentially offering more than other SEZs. Proximity doesn't seem to be an issue either...
I read a similar article about new cities in India, and one of the major points it raised was that creating an "economic hub" struggles to actually attract long-term residents, because they did not provide enough of the amenities required to build a family life etc. However having skimmed the arti-
November 10, 2025 at 12:45 AM
I read a similar article about new cities in India, and one of the major points it raised was that creating an "economic hub" struggles to actually attract long-term residents, because they did not provide enough of the amenities required to build a family life etc. However having skimmed the arti-
Hopefully this project is still ongoing (under the radar) - the house prices listed on the website seem much more accessible than in other Nigerian developments like Eko Atlantic.
November 10, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Hopefully this project is still ongoing (under the radar) - the house prices listed on the website seem much more accessible than in other Nigerian developments like Eko Atlantic.
When one looks to find more recent articles on this city it is pretty hard to find any. It is interesting (but unsurprising) to see that the super exclusive developments are having way more success despite the fact that they are pretty unsuitable for the majority demographic.
November 10, 2025 at 12:38 AM
When one looks to find more recent articles on this city it is pretty hard to find any. It is interesting (but unsurprising) to see that the super exclusive developments are having way more success despite the fact that they are pretty unsuitable for the majority demographic.
has attracted in the past few years, I don't see how KAEC will manage to generate enough excitement now in order to pick up the pieces.
November 10, 2025 at 12:36 AM
has attracted in the past few years, I don't see how KAEC will manage to generate enough excitement now in order to pick up the pieces.
In some ways it feels as though Saudi Arabia has so many new city projects going on that it will be very hard for them to all succeed. Of course they all have different roles/goals, but the people-power needed for these places to succeed is immense and without the major media attention that NEOM -
November 10, 2025 at 12:35 AM
In some ways it feels as though Saudi Arabia has so many new city projects going on that it will be very hard for them to all succeed. Of course they all have different roles/goals, but the people-power needed for these places to succeed is immense and without the major media attention that NEOM -
However one thing can be said for Musk and that is that he is not afraid of a challenge (and he is equally unafraid of throwing money at things until they succeed), and therefore I doubt that the challenges surrounded Starbase will stop him if he decides that his new city is to go ahead.
November 10, 2025 at 12:27 AM
However one thing can be said for Musk and that is that he is not afraid of a challenge (and he is equally unafraid of throwing money at things until they succeed), and therefore I doubt that the challenges surrounded Starbase will stop him if he decides that his new city is to go ahead.
Only residents living within the boundary of Starbase are allowed to vote on whether this city should be built - the majority of which work for Musk. This method seems a little bias. Additionally, the area seems completely unsuitable for mass development, with vast expanses of wetland.
November 10, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Only residents living within the boundary of Starbase are allowed to vote on whether this city should be built - the majority of which work for Musk. This method seems a little bias. Additionally, the area seems completely unsuitable for mass development, with vast expanses of wetland.
(4) The city plan launched in 2022, and now in 2025 it is still in the study and planning phase. Compared to other Saudi cities, this timescale seems slow, perhaps supporting the idea that it just simply is not possible with the technology currently available.
November 9, 2025 at 11:54 PM
(4) The city plan launched in 2022, and now in 2025 it is still in the study and planning phase. Compared to other Saudi cities, this timescale seems slow, perhaps supporting the idea that it just simply is not possible with the technology currently available.
(3) this leads to a plan that seems unclear and essentially unrealistic. Obviously if a city that is carbon neutral is possible then this would be incredible, but without the residents living lives completely different from the rest of the world, I do not see how this could ever occur.
November 9, 2025 at 11:53 PM
(3) this leads to a plan that seems unclear and essentially unrealistic. Obviously if a city that is carbon neutral is possible then this would be incredible, but without the residents living lives completely different from the rest of the world, I do not see how this could ever occur.
(2) I think this city is a really great example of a lot of the 'controversial' elements of new cities. It claims to be super green, but doesn't actually have the backing to mirror this. The city is going to harvest data, but its unclear what data will be harvested or how it will be used... All of -
November 9, 2025 at 11:51 PM
(2) I think this city is a really great example of a lot of the 'controversial' elements of new cities. It claims to be super green, but doesn't actually have the backing to mirror this. The city is going to harvest data, but its unclear what data will be harvested or how it will be used... All of -
(4) become more normalised.
November 9, 2025 at 11:35 PM
(4) become more normalised.
(3) infrastructure into each district (schools, hospitals etc), all within walking distance of the housing. This seem a little opposing to the whole air taxi idea, but it will be interesting to see how this pans out - I don't think I have seen air taxis anywhere else, and I wonder if the tech will -
November 9, 2025 at 11:35 PM
(3) infrastructure into each district (schools, hospitals etc), all within walking distance of the housing. This seem a little opposing to the whole air taxi idea, but it will be interesting to see how this pans out - I don't think I have seen air taxis anywhere else, and I wonder if the tech will -
(2) major hub for the country. Some of the technology involved seems pretty innovative (if a little crazy), such as electric aircraft 'air taxi' services. The new city will be divided up into 4 main districts, each with distinct roles. However, the plans hope to incorporate residential and related -
November 9, 2025 at 11:34 PM
(2) major hub for the country. Some of the technology involved seems pretty innovative (if a little crazy), such as electric aircraft 'air taxi' services. The new city will be divided up into 4 main districts, each with distinct roles. However, the plans hope to incorporate residential and related -
(4) city that is more attractive to settle in (the article cites its speed limits, no-litter policy and a general 'safe atmosphere'), in order to attract long-term residents who will help the city to develop further in line with their goals.
November 9, 2025 at 11:23 PM
(4) city that is more attractive to settle in (the article cites its speed limits, no-litter policy and a general 'safe atmosphere'), in order to attract long-term residents who will help the city to develop further in line with their goals.
(3) The poor directly, but instead to help provide benefits that will have a ripple down effect. Tatu's proximity to Nairobi means that it is able to utilise the huge labour (and capital) markets available from there. It seems that Tatu is aiming to pick up Nairobi's shortfallings and produce a -
November 9, 2025 at 11:21 PM
(3) The poor directly, but instead to help provide benefits that will have a ripple down effect. Tatu's proximity to Nairobi means that it is able to utilise the huge labour (and capital) markets available from there. It seems that Tatu is aiming to pick up Nairobi's shortfallings and produce a -
(2) When you compare it to Eko Atlantic city, Tatu is comparatively so much more accessible with one bedroom apartments going for $34,000 (admittedly in a country with a GDP per capita of $2200 its still pretty inaccessible), but the article raises the point that perhaps the point is not to help -
November 9, 2025 at 11:18 PM
(2) When you compare it to Eko Atlantic city, Tatu is comparatively so much more accessible with one bedroom apartments going for $34,000 (admittedly in a country with a GDP per capita of $2200 its still pretty inaccessible), but the article raises the point that perhaps the point is not to help -