Anchorage, Alaska
2070
Population: 3,023,546
Population Density: 1,700 per sq mi
Anchorage was incorporated on November 23, 1920. Between the 1930s and the 1950s, the city experienced massive growth as air transportation and the military became increasingly important. An increase in air traffic led to the clearing of a site that became Merrill Field, which served until Anchorage International Airport replaced it in 1951.
Anchorage’s population then grew to a staggering 1.3 million by 2030. As states separated from the United States to form the American Union, Alaska fully opened up its land for oil and petroleum production. This influx of industry pushed out much of the Native population into the wilderness and created a disparaging imbalance of wealth.
In 1975, the City of Anchorage merged into the geographically larger Municipality of Anchorage. The city continued to grow in the 1980s when capital projects and an aggressive beautification campaign took place. During this time Anchorage became known as the "Green Apple of the Arctic."
The oil and petroleum industry was soon displaced by tech companies in the mid 2030s. Reserves were near depletion and continuous challenges transporting the resources (multiple attacks on the pipeline, increased cost of shipping) forced the oil industry out of the state. Tech giants, such as Horizon, Google, and Amazon opened facilities in Anchorage and out of the struggling state of California.
The United States military formerly had two large installations in Alaska, Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson. Though in a cost cutting effort the bases were combined and JBER (Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson) was created, which became the world’s third busiest airport for cargo traffic. The combination of these bases employed over 8,500 civilian and military personnel but in 2045 JBER was shut down permanently. The facilities were taken over and transformed by Horizon Enterprises to house their manufacturing operation along with its research and development. The majority of all military personnel were transferred back to former US states, leaving a limited presence behind until forces were fully disbanded in 2051. Remaining personnel were offered positions in security and engineering in Horizon’s “new Anchorage.”
In 2055, Horizon successfully transferred all of its employees and subsidiaries to Anchorage. They invested in infrastructure, creating the first carbon neutral city in America. They offered economically feasible housing for displaced Native and poor Alaskans who wished to return. Horizon became the leading engine of not only Anchorage but all of Alaska; managing police, fire departments, hospitals, public education and government. In 2055, Alaska became fully independent from both the AU and the USA. The popularity of Horizon’s governance swelled its immigration from other parts of the world. As it ballooned to 3 million citizens it could no longer support the growth. Construction soon began on “the wall” closing off the Northern entrance to the city and creating the city-state of Anchorage.
