Entrepreneur Marc Lore has revealed plans to create a new megacity in a desert in the United States.
Known as Telosa City, residents could expect 15-minute commutes and farms built on skyscrapers. The name comes from the Greek word used by Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, scientist, and polymath who lived from 384 to 322 BCE, and means "highest goal".
The cost to build it would be around £320 billion ($400bn).
Mr Lore reportedly says he wants Telosa to be as eco-friendly as a Scandinavian city but as free as somewhere in the USA.
Cars using fossil fuels would be banned, with public transport, bicycles, and autonomous vehicles taking their place. The proposed city’s website says the developers want Telosa to be "open", "fair", and "inclusive". Equality is also set to have a huge emphasis.
Meanwhile, Neom, a futuristic megacity in Saudi Arabia, has announced its latest development. It is being created to diversify Saudi Arabia's economy from oil dependence.
Megacities have the potential to reduce poverty by offering economic opportunities and resources.
So how are megacities defined and where are they in the world?
What is a megacity?
A megacity is defined as an urban area typically with a population of more than 10 million people. In 1975, there were only four megacities — New York, Tokyo, Mexico City, and São Paolo. Now, there are an estimated 47 megacities all over the world.
Is London a megacity?
Yes, London has megacity status as shown by its population mentioned below.
Where are the world’s megacities?
The exact number of megacities depends on the defining criteria used by different organisations. Here's a breakdown:
- UN: 33 (as of 2018)
- CityPopulation.de: 45 (as of 2023)
- Demographia: 44 (as of 2023)
These figures suggest there are somewhere between 33 and 45 megacities globally. Here’s the list of 44 megacities from Demographia.
Tokyo-Yokohama
Country: Japan
Region: East Asia
Estimated population 2023: 37,785,000
Jakarta
Country: Indonesia
Region: Southeast Asia
Estimated population 2023: 35,386,000
Delhi
Country: India
Region: South Asia
Estimated population 2023: 31,190,000
Guangzhou-Foshan
Country: China
Region: East Asia
Estimated population 2023: 27,119,000
Mumbai
Country: India
Region: South Asia
Estimated population 2023: 25,189,000
Manila
Country: Philippines
Region: Southeast Asia
Estimated population 2023: 24,156,000
Shanghai
Country: China
Region: East Asia
Estimated population 2023: 24,042,000
Seoul-Incheon
Country: South Korea
Region: East Asia
Estimated population 2023: 23,225,000
Cairo
Country: Egypt
Region: North Africa
Estimated population 2023: 22,679,000
Mexico City
Country: Mexico
Region: North America
Estimated population 2023: 21,905,000
Kolkata
Country: India
Region: South Asia
Estimated population 2023: 21,747,000
São Paulo
Country: Brazil
Region: South America
Estimated population 2023: 21,486,000
New York City
Country: United States
Region: North America
Estimated population 2023: 21,396,000
Karachi
Country: Pakistan
Region: South Asia
Estimated population 2023: 20,249,000
Dhaka
Country: Bangladesh
Region: South Asia
Estimated population 2023: 19,134,000
Bangkok
Country: Thailand
Region: Southeast Asia
Estimated population 2023: 18,884,000
Beijing
Country: China
Region: East Asia
Estimated population 2023: 18,883,000
Moscow
Country: Russia
Region: Europe
Estimated population 2023: 17,878,000
Shenzen
Country: China
Region: East Asia
Estimated population 2023: 17,778,000
Buenos Aires
Country: Argentina
Region: South America
Estimated population 2023: 15,748,000
Los Angeles
Country: United States
Region: North America
Estimated population 2023: 15,587,000
Johannesburg-Pretoria
Country: South Africa
Region: Southern Africa
Estimated population 2023: 15,551,000
Bangalore
Country: India
Region: South Asia
Estimated population 2023: 15,257,000
Chengdu
Country: China
Region: East Asia
Estimated population 2023: 15,016,000
Ho Chi Minh City
Country: Vietnam
Region: Southeast Asia
Estimated population 2023: 14,953,000
Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto
Country: Japan
Region: East Asia
Estimated population 2023: 14,916,000
Lagos
Country: Nigeria
Region: West Africa
Estimated population 2023: 14,540,000
Istanbul
Country: Turkey
Region: Europe, West Asia
Estimated population 2023: 14,441,000
Lahore
Country: Pakistan
Region: South Asia
Estimated population 2023: 13,504,000
Kinshasa
Country: DR Congo
Region: Central Africa
Estimated population 2023: 13,493,000
Tehran
Country: Iran
Region: West Asia
Estimated population 2023: 13,382,000
Chongqing
Country: China
Region: East Asia
Estimated population 2023: 12,653,000
Rio de Janeiro
Country: Brazil
Region: South America
Estimated population 2023: 12,306,000
Xi'an
Country: China
Region: East Asia
Estimated population 2023: 12,211,000
Chennai
Country: India
Region: South Asia
Estimated population 2023: 11,570,000
Paris
Country: France
Region: Europe
Estimated population 2023: 11,108,000
Zhengzhou
Country: China
Region: East Asia
Estimated population 2023: 11,068,000
Luanda
Country: Angola
Region: Central Africa
Estimated population 2023: 10,914,000
London
Country: United Kingdom
Region: Europe
Estimated population 2023: 10,803,000
Dongguan
Country: China
Region: East Asia
Estimated population 2023: 10,753,000
Lima
Country: Peru
Region: South America
Estimated population 2023: 10,556,000
Wuhan
Country: China
Region: East Asia
Estimated population 2023: 10,353,000
Bogotá
Country: Colombia
Region: South America
Estimated population 2023: 10,252,000
Tianjin
Country: China
Region: East Asia
Estimated population 2023: 10,047,000
