In Johor's Forest City, Malaysia, a unique Web3 community named Network School is taking root on a massive artificial island complex developed by China's Country Garden. Located a half-hour drive from Johor Bahru, the city comprises four artificial islands. Despite the area's desolate appearance, Network School has become an oasis for Web3 enthusiasts.
Learning Without a Fixed Curriculum
Unlike traditional educational institutions, Network School offers no fixed curriculum and awards no degrees. It functions more like a 'digital nomad collective,' providing co-living and co-creation space for global Web3 developers, artists, investors, and learners. The community emphasizes spontaneous learning and project-based collaboration—any member can initiate workshops, hackathons, or discussion groups. This model aligns perfectly with Web3's core values of decentralization and transparency.
Country Garden's Ghost City Finds New Life with Web3
Forest City was once an ambitious overseas real estate project by Country Garden, but recently suffered from market shifts and policy restrictions, leaving many apartments vacant and commercial facilities unfinished. However, this low-rent, high-freedom environment has attracted Web3 groups seeking affordable bases. Network School's arrival has breathed new life into the 'ghost city'—members have repurposed empty spaces into shared offices, labs, and living units, turning a modernistic but deserted building into a vibrant experimental hub.
Web3 Spirit Blooms on the Fringe
The birth of Network School reflects the resilience and disruptive nature of the Web3 industry. Outside the mainstream traditional education system, it offers a community consensus rooted in blockchain philosophy: learning should not be constrained by walls or grades, but driven by connection, contribution, and trust. Organizers say everything is bottom-up, with no fixed management, only volunteer coordinators. This flexibility allows the community to quickly adapt to members' needs and attract more people interested in a crypto-native lifestyle.
Currently, Network School hosts over 100 permanent members from more than 20 countries, regularly organizing activities such as DAO governance, DeFi hands-on sessions, and NFT creation. Although still early-stage, it has sparked widespread discussion in the crypto community about 'Web3-native cities.' In the future, Network School may serve as a blueprint for exploring decentralized social experiments.