A $400 Billion City in the U.S. Desert

The latest futuristic city concept attracting attention on the internet is known as Telosa.

1 minute read

January 10, 2023, 10:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The video above, by Tomorrow’s Build, introduces Telosa, a futuristic master planned effort designed for “somewhere in the U.S. desert” at an estimated cost of $400 billion. As noted in the video, Telosa would be built on an economic system known as equitism, defined on the Telosa website as “An economic system in which citizens have a stake in the city’s land — as the city does better, the residents do better.”

Billionaire Marc Lore is the driving force behind the idea, with Bjarke Ingels Group doing the design work. As discussed in the video above, Telosa backers hope to have 50,000 people living in the city by 2030, with eventual plans to grow to a population of 5 million people. Plans for Telosa were first revealed in 2021.

Telosa joins the ranks of other futuristic city-building efforts underway around the world, including The Line in Saudi Arabia, the Floating City in South Korea, and Akon City in Senagal.

Tuesday, January 10, 2023 in Tomorrow’s Build via YouTube

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 25, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Western U.S. indicating public lands that would be for sale under a Senate plan in yellow and green.

Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands

For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”

June 19, 2025 - Outdoor Life

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

5 hours ago - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

6 hours ago - KQED

Tents inhabited by unhoused people lined up on sidewalk in Los Angeles, California in front of industrial building.

California Homeless Arrests, Citations Spike After Ruling

An investigation reveals that anti-homeless actions increased up to 500% after Grants Pass v. Johnson — even in cities claiming no policy change.

7 hours ago - Times of San Diego

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.