Europe's first "intelligent" city is set to open in Spain in 2023. The sustainable project is being built from scratch and will be powered by solar energy. Billed as a residential and tourist destination, Elysium City will have its own high-speed train station, Disney-style theme park, a 40,000-seat football stadium, several resorts, and more.
Created by former Walt Disney executive John Cora and developed by Cora Alpha, Elysium City will be the first major smart sustainable city in Europe planned and built in accordance with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, according to Cora. Located in Castilblanco in Extremadura - at a site once considered for Eurodisney - the smart city will be built in two separate phases.
The first phase will launch in 2023 and will include four hotels with casinos, a water park and Disney-style theme park, high-speed train station, retail, dining and entertainment spaces, 18-hole golf course, a 40,000-seater sports stadium, data centre and other city services. Up to 2000 residential units are also planned. Surrounding landscape will be transformed into bike paths and nature trails and a marina will take advantage of the García Sola reservoir. The second phase, due to launch in 2028, will see more luxury hotels, an equestrian centre and a Formula One race track added to the development.
Developers say Elysium will focus on design construction and operations that promote "sustainability, efficiency, and quality of life." The city will run on free gigabit speed WiFi and feature solar-powered smart street infrastructure, smart light poles and bus shelters and green coffee carts. Smart kiosks will also be found throughout the city that provide real-time transportation schedules, weather forecasts and warnings.
The project expects to draw 4.5 million visitors during its first year in business.
