CityLab Daily

A Crypto-Fueled Cyber City Aims to Attract Virtual Residents

Also today: Senate Democrats hold shadow hearing with HUD whistleblowers, and the collapse of America's statistical system.

A rendering of plans for Dunia Cyber City in Zanzibar, with housing for several thousand people — and digital infrastructure for many more.

Credit: OurWorld

A group of tech entrepreneurs have set their sights on Zanzibar Island to build what they envision as the Singapore of East Africa — that is, a special economic zone aimed at attracting both tech workers and businesses. What distinguishes this project from more traditional efforts is the underlying aspiration to establish a so-called cyber city where cryptocurrency plays a central role.

In collaboration with Zanzibar’s government, the experimental village would be home — physically and virtually — to a community of people who embrace “technological sovereignty.” The project is part of a broader tech-fueled effort to create alternative governments. Read more from Gian Volpicelli today on CityLab: The Latest Brand of Tech City Dreams: Virtual Residents