The Strata: A story of dystopian wealth

 

Over ten years ago, when I was living in Bangkok, a story idea—or at least the premise of one—began forming in my mind. It’s a dystopian, quasi-sci-fi narrative set in a future that blends darkness with a veneer of promise. I call it dystopian because, in many ways, the world it depicts is bleak. However, there are also elements that seem bright and hopeful—or at least appear that way on the surface. In this future, the wealthy will lead incredibly privileged lives, but the poor will suffer even more in relative terms than they do today.

The idea revolves around a vision of a city with multiple levels, each offering a very different quality of life. This concept was inspired by my time in Bangkok, where I noticed the contrast between life at street level and life on the elevated walkways, especially downtown beneath the Skytrain (BTS). On the elevated walkways, it was often easier to walk—fewer vendors, fewer crowds—creating a distinct divide between the two levels of the city.

I imagined a futuristic city with many such layers, where people could move between them depending on their means. Each level would come with a cost, perhaps charging a small number of credits per kilometer to use. The lowest, "free" level would be the street level, but with the effects of climate change, it would likely be wetter, prone to flooding during high tides, and increasingly neglected. Over time, it might become grimy, dangerous, and difficult to traverse, as there would be no resources allocated for its upkeep. Life at this level would be a struggle, while the higher levels offered more comfort and security—at a price.

Future NYC

Imagine a futuristic New York City transformed by rising sea levels, where the lower parts of Manhattan are permanently submerged, and midtown experiences regular flooding during high tides. The city has adapted with a vertical design: a complex, layered infrastructure of roads and pathways at multiple heights. The lowest layers are accessible only by boats, creating a canal-like environment reminiscent of Venice, but shadowed by towering structures above.

Higher levels consist of elevated roads and platforms, reserved for those who can afford escalating fees. The wealthiest live and travel at the uppermost layers, enjoying cleaner air, sunlight, and exclusive amenities. Meanwhile, the poorest are confined to the damp, shadowed lower levels, enduring daily flooding and limited resources. Access to higher levels becomes a stark representation of privilege, with each ascending tier symbolizing increased wealth and power.

This cityscape embodies a stark socioeconomic divide, with verticality serving as both a literal and metaphorical representation of inequality. Describe this multi-scale, multi-height city, where every layer tells a story of adaptation, ingenuity, and disparity in the face of climate change.