Scientists predict that the overall urban population on a global scale will enlarge by 2.5 billion by 2050. It means that people will require new places to live and work comfortably. For this reason, today rapid construction of new cities has been unfolding around the globe. Let's look at the most significant and ambitious projects that are being implemented right now.
Nusantara
Construction of Indonesia's new capital city, Nusantara, began in 2022 on the island of Borneo amid concerns that its current capital, Jakarta, would be submerged too quickly. This year, on the occasion of the country's Independence Day, which is celebrated on August 17, a presidential palace and government buildings are planned to be opened in Nusantara. Indonesia's new capital is being designed as a smart city with sustainable infrastructure and the use of innovative technologies for efficient resource management. Nusantara is also expected to become a carbon neutral city.
New Gelephu
At the end of last year, the King of Bhutan announced the start of construction near the Indian border, next to the city of Gelephu. The new city is being built next to a settlement of the same name, but it will bear the prefix “city of consciousness.” New Gelephu will initially have a high happiness index, and its main feature should be its unusual architecture. Many bridges will be built in Gelephu, which will not only connect different areas. They will house key city institutions, including a university, medical and spiritual centers as well as a market.
Dholera
The construction of Dholera began 10 years ago. It will be the first of eight planned smart cities that will show up on the map of India in the near future. It is being built 100 km southwest of Ahmedabad. According to preliminary estimates, the city should occupy an area of 920 square km. The country's first semiconductor chip manufacturing plant will be launched in Dholera next year. Besides, India’s largest solar power plant with a capacity of 4,400 MW will be also built here. The world's most advanced waste management system will be introduced in Dholera.
New Cairo
Construction of Egypt's new administrative center began nine years ago intending to decongest its old capital. A city whose area will exceed 710 square km is being built 45 km away from Cairo. Its main architectural gem has already become the central business district, where twenty high-rise buildings are located, including the Iconic Tower, the tallest skyscraper in Africa. In the future, it is planned to build a diplomatic quarter, a cultural district with opera, and theaters and a light subway that will connect the new capital with Cairo.
New town in Solano County
This town does not have a name yet, but it already claims to be the most pedestrian and greenest in the US. The concept of an eco-friendly city was developed by the California Forever firm, founded by former Goldman Sachs employee Jan Sramek. The project receives investments from Steve Jobs' widow Laurene Powell Jobs. The company spent about $900 million to acquire 50,000 acres of farmland in southeastern Solano County, California, and announced plans earlier this year to build a new city for about 50,000 residents.
The Line
The Line is a smart city, the construction of which began in Saudi Arabia in the fall of 2021 as part of the NEOM megaproject. The city is designed as a 170-kilometer line in the desert connecting the Red Sea and the city of Tabuk. This unique settlement is meant to operate entirely on renewable energy. Its main feature will be the absence of cars and, accordingly, carbon emissions.
Tatu City
Tatu City, which is under construction just 20 km north of the Kenyan capital Nairobi, is a special economic zone where about 75 local businesses are already successfully operating. The new city is the brainchild of former CEO of the investment bank Renaissance Capital Stephen Jennings. In the future, it is planned to build residential buildings for employees, as well as various infrastructure facilities, including medical institutions, schools, shopping malls, and entertainment venues.