The City

Hi, Welcome to Uphor.

Alex here. I’ll be your guide today - and I’ll offer some personal perspective on what we’re about to see.

First off: This is a fictional city. Or maybe a framework. A place to build something together.

Uphor is made up of stories, visuals, brands, neighborhoods, and little bits of culture that might exist in a more livable world. It’s a response to burnout, to broken systems, to that feeling that everything's already been decided. Here, it hasn’t.

This isn’t a polished lore bible. It’s more like a sketchbook on a shared table. Some parts are detailed, others are still in pencil. It’s not meant to be perfect.

The city is strange, but kind. Not always easy, but fair. People here have tried things - some worked, some didn’t. What matters is that they kept trying.

You’ll find fragments: A public transit card from 2112. A protest poster. A dreamy café. A state-funded program that helps people remember how to feel things again. All of it written by people who live here - or say they do. Some are intimate accounts. Some are fiction. Most fall somewhere in between.

And you’re invited to add to it. Write something. Draw something. Invent a company. Or just wander for a bit and see what sticks.

If any of this feels confusing, that’s okay. Uphor is not a place you “get” in one sitting. But you’re in it now. And you’re welcome here.

How this page works

This document is a very brief and very incomplete overview of the city’s broader structure. It’s meant to give you just enough to picture the world, while leaving plenty of space to explore, invent, or question what’s here.

The page is split into two main parts. The first half gives you context: history, systems, and the way people live. The second half zooms in on individual places, organizations, and fragments of life in the city. You can read it straight through or jump around. Either way, you’ll start to get a feel for how this place works.

Many of those entries link out to deeper pages in a wiki-style format, where you can explore certain elements in more detail.

A quick word on references:

You’ll see occasional mentions of books, films, music, or artists. These are reference points, not requirements. They’re there for the people who recognize them, or for anyone curious about the textures and ideas that helped shape this city.
You can ignore them completely and still understand Uphor just fine, but if you’re interested, they’re there to explore.

History & Lore

We'll start things off with a short overview of some historical events that led to the Uphor we have today. The short stories are set in modern Uphor (around the year 350), but it helps to understand the city’s past to see how things ended up the way they are.

The Future City Project

(roughly1500 years before Uphor)
The original Uphor started as a public housing project over 1500 years ago. Conceived and designed as “the perfect city” the project tested out radical ideas of the time to prevent overcrowded cities and work against the formation of slums.

n its earliest iteration, the city operated almost entirely as simulation. Real families were moved in to test functionality, but nothing was permanent. Street names changed. Structures were demolished and rebuilt without notice. Residents were monitored—sometimes unknowingly—as part of larger design experiment

The project fell apart when its ethical boundaries collapsed. Leaked reports revealed forced social dynamics, altered sleep cycles, and “commodification of human rights.”

Funding disappeared. Oversight bodies disbanded. Within two years, the perfect city had been quietly shut down.

The original Uphor is modeled after a few concepts of the perfect city. King Camp Gillette, Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright were the primary inspiration. Some more modern approaches influenced the design as well, especially cities with hexagonal grid designs. I love that 1920s attitude of “fixing the city and designing the perfect neighborhood” and going overboard and overdesign everything. Another inspirations were public housing projects like the Pruitt-Igoe Project. (The Novel High Rise by J.G. Ballards also comes to mind) The most prominent architectural styles left from that era are Modernism and Brutalism.

Military Repurposing

With the city’s base infrastructure intact and its location strategically isolated, it was repurposed as a military training and testing zone. This period saw the installation of deep-core bunkers, underneath the city and in the surrounding mountains, above-ground towers, and enclosed simulation areas. Some were used for field training. Others for weapons calibration. Many were left half-finished.

The city became restricted terrain. Satellite images were blurred. For a while, Uphor was more ghost story than location.

Eventually, operations slowed. Structures were left to decay. The final teams left without fanfare, after a short but violent civil, resulting in drastic cuts in military funding.

The Squatted Art City

Years passed before anyone returned. When they did, it wasn’t with official backing, but with tools, bikes, and tents. Artists, architects, students, squatters. They called it an open lab. A playground.

Back then, it was not a functioning city, but it somehow remained a livable place. I’ve read stories about canned food being used as currency. Might have been a myth, but I found it funny.

Workshops popped up in former bunkers. Rooftop gardens sprouted where control towers once stood. Someone rewired a surveillance grid to live-stream birds.

This phase didn’t last long, but it left its mark. Architectural chaos. Rewritten signage. Solar panels tagged with poetry. The infrastructure bent, softened, and bloomed in ways no one had planned for.

Some of these people stayed. Most moved on. But by then, the city had been reactivated. It was no longer forgotten.

“A chair, a lamp and a building in Uphor” was a sort of the rite of passage for architects. A lot of different styles are left from that era. Entire city blocks designed in a singular style and the next block over unrecognizably different. Everything from Art Nouveau to postmodernism.

From here, a lot of the history is still muddled and up for interpretation.

The Collapse & Year 00

What came next was harder to track. More journal entries than documentation. There was a collapse. Environmental, economic, social. Basically everything broke.

People found the city as refugees, carrying what little they had, injuries and stories.
The energy grid was partially functional. So were the bunkers. RealWater flowed. Light panels flickered on. Somehow, the city offered just enough to begin again.

This is what most people call Year 00, the start of the Uphor we know now.

Government & Economy

Few things shape the city as much as the attitude toward work.

In the early years, it was all about survival. Life expectancy was short, and labor was hard. Everyone had to contribute, there was no other option.

As time went on, more and more of that labor became automated. Old technologies were repurposed, and goods could be distributed wherever they were needed. The demand for human work dropped fast.

Life got good and the city boomed.

Rather than introducing a new currency, the loosely formed government expanded on its existing model: a need-based/resource-based economy.

Today, all basic needs are free - housing, food, water, healthcare, transportation, and even access to art and entertainment.

For an excellent example of a resource-based economy, I recommend “the dispossessed” by Ursula K. Le Guin

There’s no requirement to work. But people still do. Some work to afford upgraded goods or services—others for social reasons, purpose, or creative expression.

Take mattresses, for example. The standard-issue version is perfectly fine, and many people don’t feel the need to upgrade. Others choose to spend more on a better one. It's a choice, not a necessity.

Some companies now intentionally make their standard-issue lines annoying or uncomfortable, to push upgrades. There are still regulations to keep that in check—but the system isn’t flawless.

The highest-paying jobs are usually in science, especially when connected to government-backed brands. After that, art and entertainment are probably the biggest industries in Uphor.

While there’s no centralized government, many essential systems are run by large semi-independent entities that operate in close partnership with city leadership. One of the biggest examples is NEX, which controls most of the public transit network and holds significant sway over urban planning.

Who actually holds power often comes down to who’s best organized, most trusted, or just loud enough to keep things moving.

Culture & Daily Life

Rationality and pragmatism are highly valued in Uphor, and generally encouraged across society.

Citizens often get deeply passionate, sometimes a little weird and oddly specific, about the things they love. Hobbies are taken seriously. It’s common for people to get deep into a specific topic or skill, sometimes obsessively so.

One example: houseplants. Keeping them is a highly sought-after hobby. They're not cheap, and while there's some greenery in the city, it's still relatively scarce.

Next to personal interests, work carries cultural weight too. Some people take jobs to support causes, organizations, or brands they care about. Others work to afford upgrades or luxuries. Either way, putting in effort is often seen as a way of expressing your values.

There’s no universal rhythm to life in Uphor. Some people keep tight schedules. Others drift. Daily life varies. What it looks like depends on the person, the place, and the moment.

You’ll see some of that baked into the city’s spaces, systems, and designs.

Side note: I’ve been repeatedly asked about selfish behavior and “personal interest” in Uphor. 

The short version is: the society was built on collective action and community. Without that, Uphor wouldn’t have survived in the first place. It’s an integral part of the society. 

That doesn’t mean selfishness and greed are non-existent in Uphor, just that they’re systemically frowned upon. 

I’ve written a little entry here on my thought on my thought process here, it’s more personal, less “canon” and breaks the fourth wall more than the rest of this document, but if you wanna dive into my personal thoughts on the matter, it’s here.

Districts & Neighborhoods

A Note on Scope

This is not a complete list of Uphor’s neighborhoods or districts. It includes the areas that have been documented so far, but many parts of the city — especially newer zones, fringe developments, or minor sectors — are not yet included.
This section will expand over time.

Below is a quick overview of the city’s known districts, neighborhoods, and zones. Some are officially designated. Others are informal or historical. This list isn’t complete — it reflects what’s been established so far.

Old Uphor

Original planned district built around utopian design ideals: geometric streets, walkable zones, and integrated green space. One of the few areas to remain structurally intact after the collapse. Now mostly residential, still visibly shaped by its original plan.

Old Uphor

Original planned district built around utopian design ideals: geometric streets, walkable zones, and integrated green space. One of the few areas to remain structurally intact after the collapse. Now mostly residential, still visibly shaped by its original plan.

Old Uphor

Original planned district built around utopian design ideals: geometric streets, walkable zones, and integrated green space. One of the few areas to remain structurally intact after the collapse. Now mostly residential, still visibly shaped by its original plan.

The Crater

A large excavated zone at the heart of Old Uphor, built around the ruins of the original civic plaza. Stabilized and reinforced after the collapse, it now blends preserved architecture with sleek modern towers. Part cultural center, part transit hub — with bars, museums, offices and some cultural offerings.

The Crater

A large excavated zone at the heart of Old Uphor, built around the ruins of the original civic plaza. Stabilized and reinforced after the collapse, it now blends preserved architecture with sleek modern towers. Part cultural center, part transit hub — with bars, museums, offices and some cultural offerings.

The Crater

A large excavated zone at the heart of Old Uphor, built around the ruins of the original civic plaza. Stabilized and reinforced after the collapse, it now blends preserved architecture with sleek modern towers. Part cultural center, part transit hub — with bars, museums, offices and some cultural offerings.

Palitra

A well-preserved example of Uphor’s original satellite city plan. Built on a smaller, circular variation of the Old Uphor grid, Palitra is neat, quiet, and suburban. Mostly single-family homes, mostly working professionals. Rules are strict, gardens are manicured, and people like it that way.

Palitra

A well-preserved example of Uphor’s original satellite city plan. Built on a smaller, circular variation of the Old Uphor grid, Palitra is neat, quiet, and suburban. Mostly single-family homes, mostly working professionals. Rules are strict, gardens are manicured, and people like it that way.

Palitra

A well-preserved example of Uphor’s original satellite city plan. Built on a smaller, circular variation of the Old Uphor grid, Palitra is neat, quiet, and suburban. Mostly single-family homes, mostly working professionals. Rules are strict, gardens are manicured, and people like it that way.

The Rows

Former military housing blocks built in a strict grid when Uphor was still a military testing ground. After the collapse, they became crucial thanks to their backup power systems. Today, they’re dense, community-focused, and heavily customized.

The Rows

Former military housing blocks built in a strict grid when Uphor was still a military testing ground. After the collapse, they became crucial thanks to their backup power systems. Today, they’re dense, community-focused, and heavily customized.

The Rows

Former military housing blocks built in a strict grid when Uphor was still a military testing ground. After the collapse, they became crucial thanks to their backup power systems. Today, they’re dense, community-focused, and heavily customized.

The Bunkers

A network of underground structures designed for various purposes, among them military and emergency use, and built during various times. While many have been abandoned or sealed off, some are still in use, including one near the Rows that remains residential. Conditions vary widely, from derelict to functional.

The Bunkers

A network of underground structures designed for various purposes, among them military and emergency use, and built during various times. While many have been abandoned or sealed off, some are still in use, including one near the Rows that remains residential. Conditions vary widely, from derelict to functional.

The Bunkers

A network of underground structures designed for various purposes, among them military and emergency use, and built during various times. While many have been abandoned or sealed off, some are still in use, including one near the Rows that remains residential. Conditions vary widely, from derelict to functional.

The Edge Sectors

A cluster of isolated work zones near Uphor’s edge, including Sector E (the Labs) and Sector A (the Barracks). Though not directly connected, they’re unified by function: each serves a specific operational role. Remote, dust-heavy, and highly automated. Most residents are short-term or on rotation.

The Edge Sectors

A cluster of isolated work zones near Uphor’s edge, including Sector E (the Labs) and Sector A (the Barracks). Though not directly connected, they’re unified by function: each serves a specific operational role. Remote, dust-heavy, and highly automated. Most residents are short-term or on rotation.

The Edge Sectors

A cluster of isolated work zones near Uphor’s edge, including Sector E (the Labs) and Sector A (the Barracks). Though not directly connected, they’re unified by function: each serves a specific operational role. Remote, dust-heavy, and highly automated. Most residents are short-term or on rotation.

Sector E (The Labs)

Sector E is one of the primary research zones within the Edge Sectors. Home to the RW labs and a rotating cycle of high-pressure projects. Residents are mostly short-term researchers and technical staff — well cared for, but not meant for long-term living

Sector E (The Labs)

Sector E is one of the primary research zones within the Edge Sectors. Home to the RW labs and a rotating cycle of high-pressure projects. Residents are mostly short-term researchers and technical staff — well cared for, but not meant for long-term living

Sector E (The Labs)

Sector E is one of the primary research zones within the Edge Sectors. Home to the RW labs and a rotating cycle of high-pressure projects. Residents are mostly short-term researchers and technical staff — well cared for, but not meant for long-term living

Sector A (Agricultural Buildings/The Barracks)

Sector A manages RW’s vertical farms — a cluster of large, hangar-like buildings lit in red and blue hues, operated by RW. Residents, known informally as “barrack people,” live and work communally during mid-lengths shifts. It’s a tightly knit, highly structured lifestyle, often hard to shake after returning to the city.

Sector A (Agricultural Buildings/The Barracks)

Sector A manages RW’s vertical farms — a cluster of large, hangar-like buildings lit in red and blue hues, operated by RW. Residents, known informally as “barrack people,” live and work communally during mid-lengths shifts. It’s a tightly knit, highly structured lifestyle, often hard to shake after returning to the city.

Sector A (Agricultural Buildings/The Barracks)

Sector A manages RW’s vertical farms — a cluster of large, hangar-like buildings lit in red and blue hues, operated by RW. Residents, known informally as “barrack people,” live and work communally during mid-lengths shifts. It’s a tightly knit, highly structured lifestyle, often hard to shake after returning to the city.

Notable Buildings & Locations

A loose collection of locations which have played a role in previous stories

The sun chamber (performance venue)
A circular performance hall known for its sound-enhancing architecture and dynamic SED-lit ceiling. The Sun Chamber hosts competitive games, concerts, and small-scale sporting events. It’s located in one of Uphor’s more corporate districts.

The Garden Pavilion (Park)
A concrete pavilion located centrally in a series of manicured parks enclosed by smooth concrete walls. Open-sided and covered by a steel roof, the pavilion hosts small gatherings, talks, performances, and community events.

Notable Buildings & Locations

A loose collection of locations which have played a role in previous stories

The sun chamber (performance venue)
A circular performance hall known for its sound-enhancing architecture and dynamic SED-lit ceiling. The Sun Chamber hosts competitive games, concerts, and small-scale sporting events. It’s located in one of Uphor’s more corporate districts.

The Garden Pavilion (Park)
A concrete pavilion located centrally in a series of manicured parks enclosed by smooth concrete walls. Open-sided and covered by a steel roof, the pavilion hosts small gatherings, talks, performances, and community events.

Notable Buildings & Locations

A loose collection of locations which have played a role in previous stories

The sun chamber (performance venue)
A circular performance hall known for its sound-enhancing architecture and dynamic SED-lit ceiling. The Sun Chamber hosts competitive games, concerts, and small-scale sporting events. It’s located in one of Uphor’s more corporate districts.

The Garden Pavilion (Park)
A concrete pavilion located centrally in a series of manicured parks enclosed by smooth concrete walls. Open-sided and covered by a steel roof, the pavilion hosts small gatherings, talks, performances, and community events.

Institutions & Organisations

The Mirror Company

The Mirror is a semi-transparent, eye-calibrated device issued to every Uphor citizen. It functions as an ID, payment method, transport pass, and secure access key. The current standard model is the M7, provided for free at age 14 through the government-run Mirror Center. Higher-end models exist but are rarely used. Most citizens rely on the standard issue, which is upgraded every 5–10 years via an exchange system.

Standard Issue Bureau

Standard issue products in Uphor are government-approved essentials distributed for free to all citizens. These include everything from toothbrushes and vitamins to furniture, food staples, and basic electronics. All approved items carry the Standard Issue Seal, a mark of trust indicating safe, functional, and tested quality. The system is overseen by an independent agency known as the Standard Issue Bureau.

Libraries

Uphor’s public libraries offer more than books — they’re spaces to read, work, borrow tools, and access equipment you don’t need to own. Some are specialized (like woodshops or academic branches), but most provide a mix of books, computers, and loanable items like cameras, sewing machines, or renovation tools. Access is free for all citizens.

Contribute

Hey Again

If you’re reading this, maybe something already clicked. Maybe you've caught yourself imagining, people often dive into Uphor and soon realize they're sketching things out in their minds.

Perfect. Uphor grows through collaboration.

This is a community project, here to explore what it means to build something meaningful together. Whether you're a writer, artist, designer, or thinker, your perspective can help shape this evolving world and offer you a room of your own within it.

Right now, I'm focusing specifically on developing Uphor itself before opening up the broader universe it's part of. If you have an idea or feel inspired to contribute something directly related to the city, let's talk.

You’ll find a contact form below. Just reach out and tell me what's on your mind. if it feels like a good fit, we’ll figure it out together.

If you're interested in supporting Uphor more generally, I've also started a Patreon. Your donations directly help cover project essentials like hosting fees, printing. No pressure, just gratitude if you decide to help keep this world thriving. Proper rewards coming soon.

Thanks for being part of this journey. Whether you contribute directly or simply explore, you're helping to bring Uphor to life.

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