New Cities Atlas
Shenzhen is China’s most successful special economic zone (SEZ) and a global model for rapid urbanization. Once a small fishing village, it transformed into a megacity of over 17 million people in just four decades. Established as an SEZ in 1980, Shenzhen attracted foreign investment, high-tech industries, and manufacturing,
China
Ordos New Town (Kangbashi) was designed as a futuristic city to house one million people, fueled by Inner Mongolia’s coal wealth. Planned in the early 2000s, it featured grand boulevards, iconic architecture, and cultural landmarks like the Ordos Museum. However, speculative real estate investment outpaced actual demand, leading to
China
Inner Mongolia’s new urban developments reflect China’s broader strategy of rapid urbanization and resource-driven growth, particularly in coal-rich areas. Cities like Ordos New Town (Kangbashi) were built with grand infrastructure and modern amenities, aiming to accommodate growing populations and economic expansion. However, many developments struggled with overbuilding, speculative
China
Yujiapu Financial District, part of Tianjin’s Binhai New Area, was envisioned as China’s Wall Street, a high-rise financial hub meant to rival Shanghai’s Lujiazui. Launched in the 2000s, the district was designed with a dense skyline, modern infrastructure, and high-speed rail connections to Beijing. However, overambition, slow
New Cities Atlas
The Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA) is one of China’s most successful special economic zones, established in 1984 to drive industrial growth and foreign investment. Located in Tianjin’s Binhai New Area, TEDA has become a major hub for advanced manufacturing, automotive production, and high-tech industries, attracting global companies
New Cities Atlas
Milton Keynes, established in 1967, is one of the UK’s most successful post-war new towns, designed to accommodate London’s overspill and create a modern, efficient urban environment. Built with a grid road system, extensive green spaces, and a strong emphasis on car accessibility, it contrasts with traditional British
New Cities Atlas
King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) is one of Saudi Arabia’s flagship new city projects, launched in 2005 to diversify the economy beyond oil. Located on the Red Sea, 100 km north of Jeddah, KAEC is designed to become a major logistics, industrial, and tourism hub. The city features King
New Cities Atlas
Xiong’an New Area is China’s most ambitious new city project since Shenzhen, designed to relieve congestion in Beijing and promote high-tech, green urbanism. Announced in 2017, it is planned to house 2.5 million people and serve as a model for smart, low-carbon cities. Located about 100 km
New Cities Atlas
Africa is the last frontier of massive urban growth, set to double its population to 2.5 billion by 2050 and continue expanding through the century. While many cities remain chaotic and underdeveloped, rapid urbanization is driving ambitious new city projects. Eko Atlantic (Nigeria) aims to be a financial hub,
New Cities Atlas
Since 1970, China has undertaken the largest urbanization project in history, building cities for 760 million people—more than the total urban population of the world in 1950. This rapid expansion was driven by industrialization, economic reforms, and massive rural-to-urban migration. New cities like Shenzhen, once a fishing village, have
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s new city developments are part of an ambitious effort to diversify its economy beyond oil, attract global investment, and modernize its urban landscape. As part of Vision 2030, the country is creating futuristic cities to drive economic growth, tourism, and innovation. Key projects include Neom, a $500