@alainchen03.bsky.social
What is interesting about these New Area cities in China is that the successful ones (Such as Shenzhen, Pudong) have also been doubted when they were first established. And their success story spans decades. Xiong'An is only 7-8 years old, too early to judge whether it's a failure or not.
November 4, 2025 at 5:46 AM
What is interesting about these New Area cities in China is that the successful ones (Such as Shenzhen, Pudong) have also been doubted when they were first established. And their success story spans decades. Xiong'An is only 7-8 years old, too early to judge whether it's a failure or not.
While it is true that the majority of Saudi Futurist Projects have not come to fruition, this one seems to be well on its way to completion. You can find videos online that show good projects in this entertainment hub. However, the real question is, will it attract people as they had hoped?
November 4, 2025 at 5:41 AM
While it is true that the majority of Saudi Futurist Projects have not come to fruition, this one seems to be well on its way to completion. You can find videos online that show good projects in this entertainment hub. However, the real question is, will it attract people as they had hoped?
Interestingly, Woven City’s small scale highlights the paradox of “living labs,” where massive investment yields minimal social impact. It tests innovation, yet risks becoming an insulated prototype detached from broader urban challenges.
November 4, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Interestingly, Woven City’s small scale highlights the paradox of “living labs,” where massive investment yields minimal social impact. It tests innovation, yet risks becoming an insulated prototype detached from broader urban challenges.
Smart Forest City’s mobility plan sure reduces emissions, but it risks privileging technological control over social inclusion. Electric systems don’t automatically ensure equity—who maintains, accesses, and benefits from these innovations matters most.
November 4, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Smart Forest City’s mobility plan sure reduces emissions, but it risks privileging technological control over social inclusion. Electric systems don’t automatically ensure equity—who maintains, accesses, and benefits from these innovations matters most.
If such cities rely on questionable timber networks, their carbon savings risk being offset by deforestation elsewhere. Transparency in sourcing must evolve alongside architectural innovation to ensure genuine sustainability.
November 4, 2025 at 5:13 AM
If such cities rely on questionable timber networks, their carbon savings risk being offset by deforestation elsewhere. Transparency in sourcing must evolve alongside architectural innovation to ensure genuine sustainability.
Mass timber’s promise depends on ethical sourcing—yet companies like IKEA, recently scrutinized for unsustainable logging in Eastern Europe, expose the fragility of “green” supply chains behind projects like Stockholm’s.
November 4, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Mass timber’s promise depends on ethical sourcing—yet companies like IKEA, recently scrutinized for unsustainable logging in Eastern Europe, expose the fragility of “green” supply chains behind projects like Stockholm’s.
The emphasis on transport-oriented growth and creative placemaking is promising, but long-term livability will depend on construction quality and environmental durability—issues that often undermine Indian new-town projects despite strong planning rhetoric.
November 4, 2025 at 5:06 AM
The emphasis on transport-oriented growth and creative placemaking is promising, but long-term livability will depend on construction quality and environmental durability—issues that often undermine Indian new-town projects despite strong planning rhetoric.
These deaths reveal that sustainability rhetoric often masks extractive labor systems. True progress requires transparency and labour rights embedded in design. Otherwise, Vision 2030 becomes exploitation rebranded as innovation.
November 4, 2025 at 5:02 AM
These deaths reveal that sustainability rhetoric often masks extractive labor systems. True progress requires transparency and labour rights embedded in design. Otherwise, Vision 2030 becomes exploitation rebranded as innovation.
Your post exposes how “futuristic” visions like The Line rely on invisible, disposable labor. The contradiction between utopian design and dystopian working conditions shows how megaprojects reproduce global hierarchies under a techno-modern façade.
November 4, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Your post exposes how “futuristic” visions like The Line rely on invisible, disposable labor. The contradiction between utopian design and dystopian working conditions shows how megaprojects reproduce global hierarchies under a techno-modern façade.
Its circular economy model could redefine urban regeneration if inclusivity and ecological restoration remain central. Otherwise, HafenCity risks replicating eco-elitism under the banner of sustainability.
November 4, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Its circular economy model could redefine urban regeneration if inclusivity and ecological restoration remain central. Otherwise, HafenCity risks replicating eco-elitism under the banner of sustainability.
HafenCity’s integration of housing, work, and education shows how mixed-use design can foster social cohesion. Yet the 25% subsidized target raises questions—will affordability persist as land values rise with innovation-driven growth?
November 4, 2025 at 4:58 AM
HafenCity’s integration of housing, work, and education shows how mixed-use design can foster social cohesion. Yet the 25% subsidized target raises questions—will affordability persist as land values rise with innovation-driven growth?
You highlight how the rhetoric of “climate resilience” hides exclusionary urbanism. What’s striking is how Eko Atlantic converts collective vulnerability into a private commodity—an ecological bunker for elites, financed by the same forces that are worsening coastal erosion.
November 4, 2025 at 4:54 AM
You highlight how the rhetoric of “climate resilience” hides exclusionary urbanism. What’s striking is how Eko Atlantic converts collective vulnerability into a private commodity—an ecological bunker for elites, financed by the same forces that are worsening coastal erosion.
Key issues include environmental risks (stagnant water behind the barrier, damaged ecosystems), displacement of local fishing communities, and huge cost uncertainty. Without tackling groundwater extraction and ecosystem harm, even this bold project may struggle to deliver safety for all residents.
November 4, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Key issues include environmental risks (stagnant water behind the barrier, damaged ecosystems), displacement of local fishing communities, and huge cost uncertainty. Without tackling groundwater extraction and ecosystem harm, even this bold project may struggle to deliver safety for all residents.
The scheme combines grand engineering with new housing, luxury waterfront development and reclaimed land, promoting a future urban extension of the capital. But the article flags the deep challenge: the wall may treat the symptom, not the real cause of Jakarta’s alarming subsidence.
November 4, 2025 at 4:30 AM
The scheme combines grand engineering with new housing, luxury waterfront development and reclaimed land, promoting a future urban extension of the capital. But the article flags the deep challenge: the wall may treat the symptom, not the real cause of Jakarta’s alarming subsidence.
Yet the challenge remains: ensuring long-term occupancy, environmental resilience, and steady tourism demand. Without sustained investment and ecological care, these reclaimed landmarks risk echoing earlier over-extension cycles rather than becoming truly enduring urban ecosystems.
November 4, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Yet the challenge remains: ensuring long-term occupancy, environmental resilience, and steady tourism demand. Without sustained investment and ecological care, these reclaimed landmarks risk echoing earlier over-extension cycles rather than becoming truly enduring urban ecosystems.
Both developments feature expanded transport links, marinas, and green mobility corridors designed to make the new districts seamlessly accessible by road and sea. The aim is to balance grandeur with livability and everyday convenience for residents and visitors.
November 4, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Both developments feature expanded transport links, marinas, and green mobility corridors designed to make the new districts seamlessly accessible by road and sea. The aim is to balance grandeur with livability and everyday convenience for residents and visitors.
waterfront living. Palm Jebel Ali adds over 110 kilometres of shoreline, featuring luxury villas, world-class resorts, and innovative infrastructure, while Dubai Islands integrates cultural, retail, and leisure hubs designed to diversify Dubai’s tourism economy beyond downtown icons.
November 4, 2025 at 4:21 AM
waterfront living. Palm Jebel Ali adds over 110 kilometres of shoreline, featuring luxury villas, world-class resorts, and innovative infrastructure, while Dubai Islands integrates cultural, retail, and leisure hubs designed to diversify Dubai’s tourism economy beyond downtown icons.
Kai Tak offers a blueprint for mega-site reuse, but success depends on more than buildings. It needs vibrant communities, seamless mobility, and economic purpose — not just big plans on paper.
November 4, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Kai Tak offers a blueprint for mega-site reuse, but success depends on more than buildings. It needs vibrant communities, seamless mobility, and economic purpose — not just big plans on paper.
But the challenge is significant: integrating a major new urban node into an already crowded city, ensuring transport links, managing construction under live utilities and traffic. The redevelopment must not become isolated or poorly connected.
November 4, 2025 at 4:06 AM
But the challenge is significant: integrating a major new urban node into an already crowded city, ensuring transport links, managing construction under live utilities and traffic. The redevelopment must not become isolated or poorly connected.
The site will accommodate tens of thousands of residents and workers. Its revitalisation includes heavy infrastructure investments: new tunnels, bridges, and deep-earth works in an extremely constrained urban setting.
November 4, 2025 at 4:06 AM
The site will accommodate tens of thousands of residents and workers. Its revitalisation includes heavy infrastructure investments: new tunnels, bridges, and deep-earth works in an extremely constrained urban setting.
What stands out is the lesson for urban planning: a city is more than architecture and infrastructure—it needs context, culture, residents, and functions. Without these, even the most ambitious skyline risks becoming a monument to over-reach rather than a living place.
November 4, 2025 at 3:53 AM
What stands out is the lesson for urban planning: a city is more than architecture and infrastructure—it needs context, culture, residents, and functions. Without these, even the most ambitious skyline risks becoming a monument to over-reach rather than a living place.
The core challenge is demand mismatch: when supply outpaces actual population growth and economic activity, you end up with iconic cityscapes that lack the human scale of streets filled with people, services, and everyday life.
November 4, 2025 at 3:53 AM
The core challenge is demand mismatch: when supply outpaces actual population growth and economic activity, you end up with iconic cityscapes that lack the human scale of streets filled with people, services, and everyday life.