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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Lola Christina Alao

What is a megacity and is London one? Plans unveiled for $400bn US desert city 'Telosa'

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

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