Colonizing the Desert

[chris_gerrib]

The first permanent building in Las Vegas, Nevada was built in 1905. In 1930, the 5,100 people there made it the very definition of a "jerkwater" town - a place the locomotives stopped to refill on water. In 1960, well into the casino era, the population was 64,000. As of the 2010 census, Clark County (Las Vegas and suburbs) has a population of

Comments

[kalance]

While the efforts of the government may have led to a population boom in the area, what prompted the initial settlement? I'm aware that in many instances, including the initial colonization of the New World, was prompted by private businesses. Sort of like the East India Trading Company.

New towns were often financed by companies who hoped to reap a profit, and so "hired" settlers to move into an area and set up mines or whatnot. As you said, Las Vegas' true start didn't happen until the land was bought by a railroad company and utilized as a place for the trains to get water. Had it not been for that, it is not likely that area would have been so readily settled or developed.

The government is unlikely to spawn true colonies on either the moon or mars. The only time the US government has contributed directly to the birth of a city is when one was built up around a fort, or other military base. Neither of which is needed at this point on Mars or Luna. Far more likely is a business venture. An expedition to extract rare earths or other vital materials to be shipped back to Earth. In such cases, a viable self-sustaining colony would be far more cost effective than multiple to-and-back mining trips.

Does a strong central government allow for a colony to grow more rapidly? Sure. But to start them up, you will find private businesses offer the better chance of success, or even willingness. Government backed efforts for space related endeavors have all but evaporated, after all. And private businesses are doing more, for less, than NASA ever has.

Frankly, what motivation does the federal government have to settle Mars? Really? Compared to the motivation of a private corporation which learns about a substantial rare earth deposit with an estimated value in the trillions of dollars?

[chris_gerrib]

I've written extensively of my belief that space colonization will come from private firms in the tourism business. My point was that the technological obstacles are similar.