• Co-founders of Reddit, Alexis Ohanian and ex-San Francisco 49er, Joe Montana, are at the helm of plans to build a new city in Nevada, aptly named “Telosa”.
• Ideologically, Telosa aims to destroy the old, outdated modes of city planning. It aims to incorporate a sustainable metropolis based on a philosophy called “Equitism”.
• “Equitism”, as defined by its proponents, is akin to socialism. It posits that the city should own a significant portion of the land and lease it to its citizens. The revenue generated from this will then be reinvested in the city.
• Telosa aims to build a 15-minute city model, where all daily needs can be met within a 15-minute radius.
• Despite the grandeur of the plan, there remain numerous hurdles in actualising a city that encapsulates equitable living, sustainability, and the creation of open spaces.
• Critics argue that the “Equitism” model fundamentally misunderstands how real estate value is generated. Furthermore, they question whether Ohanian and Montana have the intrinsic knowledge or experience needed to handle the sheer scope of city planning.
• Currently, ‘Telosa’ is no more than a concept with computer-generated images of a futuristic landscape. Concrete needs to be poured, assets acquired and actual livability aspects factored in before we can start calling it a city.
Reddit Co-founder’s Vision: A Glimpse into the Future or Delusions of Grandeur?
Creating a Utopian Metropolis from Scratch
Virtual Cities: Concept or Concrete?
Before I wrap this complex Rubik’s cube of a narrative, let’s take a moment to appreciate the chutzpah of Ohanian and Montana. Conceiving a city out of thin air—that’s no small daydream! Now, onto the gritty reality: city building isn’t a child’s Lego project (or a The Sims game, for that matter). It requires strategic planning, immense capital, and a stroke of genius. Not to dismiss their efforts, but what we currently see are only mockups of what resembles a city from a Star Trek episode, not a concrete, sustainable ecosystem just yet.
While the concept of “Equitism” certainly breaks the mould, it’s not exactly clear how it differs from socialism. Is it a clever marketing spin to repackage an old ideology? Critics have their doubts, especially with regards to how real estate value will be generated. Are we to believe that Ohanian and Montana, successful as they are in their respective fields, can suddenly pivot to becoming esteemed city planners? That seems a little far-fetched.
In essence, as electrifying as a utopian city straight out of a sci-fi novel sounds, let’s hold our horses and watch for some actual groundwork before we start packing our bags for Telosa. Until then, the concept seems a little more like a property mogul’s dream as opposed to a feasible reality. And as we’ve learned from countless science fiction scenarios: utopian dreams often become dystopian realities. But who knows, maybe this is the start of something beautiful… or at the very least, a really great season of a reality TV show!
Original article: https://www.inman.com/2023/12/27/can-futuristic-utopias-solve-our-housing-crisis/
