Cities of the Future – Megacities, Arcologies, and Floating Utopias

In tomorrow’s world, cities may rise into the clouds, dive beneath oceans, or float among the stars—join us as we journey through these radical urban frontiers.

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Credits:
Cities of the Future
Episode 498; May 8, 2025
Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac Arthur
Edited by: Briana Brownell & Thomas Owens
Graphics: Bryan Versteeg, Ervin Oprea, Ken York YD Visual, Sergio Botero
Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images
Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creator
Chris Zabriskie, "Unfoldment, Revealment", "A New Day in a New Sector", "Wonder Cycle"
Taras Harkavyi, "Alpha and..."
Stellardrone, "Red Giant", "Billions and Billions"

Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:16 The Growth of Cities
4:05 Urban Challenges & Opportunities
6:09 Vertical Cities & Arcologies
21:15 Space Scrapers & Space Towers
24:19 Subterranean Cities
26:26 Artificial Island Cities
28:05 Underwater Cities
29:29 Cities in the Sky
30:59 Space Habitats
33:56 Cities on Other Worlds