Gates

Gates, is a charter city located in Liberia and is considered one of the leading cities in medical research worldwide, with a population of 650,000. Named for its sponsor, the American tech billionaire and philanthropist Bill Gates, as well as the Gates Foundation, the city is considered one of the best-managed charter cities. The city is constructed in the Barkist style of architecture, which was considered avant-garde during its construction.

The city has overcome its initial controversy as a "neocolonial, corporatist project" (as stated in the famous opinion piece America Comes Back to Liberia), and is now pointed to by advocates of charter cities as a model of how the system can work effectively. The city is also praised by urban planners for its walkability, public transport, livability, opportunity, and relatively low cost of living. Its design has been copied by numerous other charter cities worldwide to varying success.

Gates is managed by the Gates Foundation, and is governed by the Gates City Council. The Council is comprised of nine members - four appointed by the Gates Foundation, and five elected by residents of the city. Like other charter cities, it is considered exempt from Liberian law and features its own legal code.

As Gates is prominent in the field of medical research, many medical and biotech corporations have a presence in the city. Montreux-Verrill World Biotech, Noricis Pharmaceutical, and Zephyr Medical Technologies all have major offices in Gates. Although the city is exempt from Liberian law, its own legal code places a strong emphasis on responsible, ethical medical conduct. The city government has a special investigatory body that deals with violations of its medical code of conduct that all corporations located in the city must follow.

Founding Date

2033

Alternative Name(s)

Gates City

Type

City

Population

650,000