Forest City, Malaysia2024
Ârc
Ârc is a layer 2 at the Network School. It aims to support new societies by helping recruit and retain citizens and by making it easier and faster for organizations to do business in these societies.
What is Ârc?
A layer two network state at Network School and a pop-up village organizer experimenting with new governance, organization, and legal models.
A layer two network state is one which leverages the infrastructure of its parent to scale before being independent.
Mission
Ârc supports new societies by:
- Helping recruit and retain citizens.
- Making it easier, faster and possible for organizations to do business
History
Ârc is in its early stages, founded by James Poulter in 2024.
Inspired by experiences in NEOM, Próspera, Solana Hacker Houses, and Zuzalu, it began with pop-up cities.
In 2026, Ârc is hosting Ârc Montenegro, a pop-up village running for two months, straight after EthCC.
The project is looking for a special economic zone to build a city that will bring talent, capital and innovation to its country.
Location
Ârc's initial layer two base is located at Network School in Forest City, Malaysia.
It also has an outpost in Próspera (Roatán, Honduras), and hosts pop-up villages globally (Portugal, USA, Montenegro).
Duration
Ârc has a permanent residency at Network School and a permanent outpost in the charter city of Próspera.
In addition, Ârc's pop-up villages last from 1 to 2 months.
Ârc organizes pop-up villages as the means of drawing attention to the possibility and importance of charter cities.
Pricing
Residency at Ârc is priced the same as Network School - a monthly $1,500 fee for a shared room or $3,000 for a private room.
Pop-up villages can range from $500 to $2,000, depending on the location and duration.
Amenities
In Network School, Ârc positions itself as a platform for founders to raise investment, hire local talent and drive GDP.
Amenities in Ârc's base at NS include:
- Serviced room.
- 3 nutritious meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
- 24/7 gym access.
- Fitness classes.
- Private co-working spaces.
- Private office spaces.
- Content studios.
- Maker space.
- High-speed Wi-Fi.
- Workshops, lectures, and events.
Reviews
" Ârc is a community-within-a-community, demonstrating how these can function within the larger, legally sovereign movement. " Parallel Citizen, Network States and Crypto Writer
This model is a living, breathing space for culture and an established base for new L2s. Ârc, for instance, is one such community-within-a-community, demonstrating how these nested communities can function within the larger, legally sovereign movement.
" Many incredible people got together to build new future for humanity while there. " Katia Dowling, Founder at Lumen Longevity
This week in Lisbon I visited Ârc, a pop-up city where longevity, AI, crypto, and network states converged. Many incredible people got together to build new future for humanity while there.
How can you get involved?
- Subscribe to Ârc's newsletter.
- Join Ârc's online community.
- Visit Ârc - Próspera or Network School.
- Found Ârc's charter city.
FAQs
What is the goal of Ârc?
To create the "best city ever" by accelerating personal wealth and well-being, experimenting with governance, and eventually establishing a permanent charter city with regulatory autonomy.
Who is Ârc for?
Diverse, high-agency individuals interested in building frontier technologies, governance innovations, and sustainable communities.
What is a "layer two" network state?
A secondary layer built on an existing network state (like Network School) to test and develop new models before scaling to independence.
How many citizens does Ârc have at Network School?
Over 100 citizens are building the frontier at the permanent base in Network School.
Will Ârc become independent?
Yes, eventually through a bidding process with host nations for land and autonomy, aiming to operate as a special economic zone.
How can I join Ârc's online community?
One can be a Member from $11/month, a Patron from $111/month and a Patron+ from $1,111/month. See more at thearccity.com/two.
What does the pricing include?
In Network School, Ârc residents have all-inclusive access to programming, meals, fitness, coworking, and facilities.