[zenonu]

This new city most likely depends on getting necessary regulatory and code approvals that would be impossible elsewhere. There's also a reason why towns become ghost towns, and the investors putting in $400B in funding probably don't want to start with one foot in the metaphorical grave.

[kitsunesoba]

To me the set of issues that come with building up a pre-existing city/town are similar to those faced by companies and municipalities looking to lay fiberoptic cable for internet service: endless political hurdles and obstructionism coming from the numerous groups and individuals involved, slowing development to a crawl or stopping it altogether.

It's no wonder why this project is pursuing a "clean slate" approach.

[stephen_g]

From the sound of it, he’s still looking for all of the “investors putting in $400B of funding” at this point. For now, it seems he’s just doing PR and paying an architecture firm to make 3D renders.