This is an idea for discussion, not a feature, a feature would have a lot more detail.
As I have often posted IMHO some caps and supers should have come with new space, rather than have these ships end up dominating existing space. The idea here is to “retrofit” adding the new space that always should have been and changing many/most/all caps and supers to roles colonizing these new systems. Hopefully returning fleet combat to sub cap.
New Space
New space would be created by adding an additional 25,000 to 100,000 systems. None with gates. (New Eden is ~5200). Considering a large alliance could potentially control 1000(?) systems that doesn’t seem like much.
Current wormhole space would actually be existing systems within those new systems that can be reached by wormhole. Tactically valuable systems to say the least!
To reach the new systems, besides via wormhole, would require a colony ship and a colony ship is the only thing that can build both ends of a stargate.
Gates would not be able to be built in New Eden, only in the new space.
Caps/Supers -> Colony Ships
Some Caps/Supers would be recast as colony ships. A colony ship would be able to jump to an ungated system, potentially carrying other ships and players as variations on colony ship roles. A colony ship would be able to establish a stargate, both ends.
Sub Caps, and possibly carriers not converted to colony efforts, would return to viability in fleet combat.
Gameplay
Very large alliances would “progress” to the next level by setting out to own a piece of space where they control everything, including the stargates and the knowledge of the location of the stargates. Generally jumping many systems away before beginning a network of stargates and stations.
Smaller alliances and corps would have opportunities in existing space vacated by the alliances that left.