Kilobaasia

Kilobaasia is a hypothetical megaregion used in urban studies and speculative worldbuilding to describe an extensive, highly interconnected urban belt spanning parts of East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. The term blends kilo- with Asia to convey an extreme scale beyond typical megaregions, but there is no single agreed boundary.

The concept arises primarily in planning fiction and scenario analysis. It serves as a shorthand for long-distance urban integration, cross-border infrastructure, and digital networks rather than a political entity. It is not an official geographic designation.

Geography and scope vary by author. Commonly cited corridors include major metropolitan arcs such as the Tokyo–Osaka–Nagoya region, Shanghai and the Yangtze Delta, and the Pearl River Delta; the Delhi–Mumbai axis; Bangkok–Ho Chi Minh City; and archipelago-linked nodes around Jakarta, Manila, and Singapore. Some variants emphasize maritime routes and logistics hubs in Southeast Asia and the Bay of Bengal region. The exact extent depends on demographics, economics, and political boundaries used in a given analysis.

Economy and infrastructure: In speculative use, Kilobaasia is characterized by dense housing, diversified economies, cross-border supply chains, integrated transport (high-speed rail, road, ports), and converging digital infrastructure, including 5G/6G and data centers. Policy questions focus on governance coordination, energy reliability, climate resilience, and equitable development.

Reception and status: As a construct rather than an official region, Kilobaasia is debated among scholars and designers. Critics argue it can obscure local variation and governance differences, while supporters view it as a useful lens for analyzing megaregion dynamics and shared challenges.