Elsa Mateos
@elsamateos.bsky.social
Sustainability and Urban Planning Student at McGill.
While most articles portray Gelephu’s ‘Mindfulness City’ project in a positive light, the other side of the story that emerged for my posts is one of forced displacement linked to an ethnic crisis (quite opposite from the frontpage image of the city:(
scroll.in/article/1079...
scroll.in/article/1079...
The dark shadows of Bhutan’s Gelephu ‘mindfulness city’ project
The ambitious ‘mega city’ plan is a violent appropriation of the homeland and memories of the displaced Lhotshampa people.
scroll.in
November 4, 2025 at 12:26 AM
While most articles portray Gelephu’s ‘Mindfulness City’ project in a positive light, the other side of the story that emerged for my posts is one of forced displacement linked to an ethnic crisis (quite opposite from the frontpage image of the city:(
scroll.in/article/1079...
scroll.in/article/1079...
and the vulnerability of farmers due to green urban development (especially marshlands).
Sources: www.hrw.org/world-report...
www.sei.org/publications...
Sources: www.hrw.org/world-report...
www.sei.org/publications...
World Report 2024: Rights Trends in Rwanda
www.hrw.org
November 4, 2025 at 12:11 AM
and the vulnerability of farmers due to green urban development (especially marshlands).
Sources: www.hrw.org/world-report...
www.sei.org/publications...
Sources: www.hrw.org/world-report...
www.sei.org/publications...
While I am impressed by Rwanda’s development, after doing some additional research I found that there are also hidden issues, such as the persistence of informal settlements, the ‘clean-up’ of certain groups from urban spaces,
November 4, 2025 at 12:11 AM
While I am impressed by Rwanda’s development, after doing some additional research I found that there are also hidden issues, such as the persistence of informal settlements, the ‘clean-up’ of certain groups from urban spaces,
one can question whether such massive investments would be better directed toward improving the population’s well-being in the short term, given that a lot of Egyptians live below the poverty line.
October 28, 2025 at 7:15 PM
one can question whether such massive investments would be better directed toward improving the population’s well-being in the short term, given that a lot of Egyptians live below the poverty line.
The article also raises familiar issues of inequality, being a city for the wealthy. I am equally concerned about the authoritarian political context in Egypt, and about the ongoing economic crisis. Although China provides much of the project’s funding,
October 28, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The article also raises familiar issues of inequality, being a city for the wealthy. I am equally concerned about the authoritarian political context in Egypt, and about the ongoing economic crisis. Although China provides much of the project’s funding,
Water resources are a major theme in this article, and I found it particularly interesting that it discusses how the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam has limited Egypt’s access to water (especially now that the dam is fully operational)
October 28, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Water resources are a major theme in this article, and I found it particularly interesting that it discusses how the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam has limited Egypt’s access to water (especially now that the dam is fully operational)
where the chosen location proved unsuitable for large-scale development due to flooding. They can also struggle with economic and political instability, relying heavily on international investment or government funding, both of which can shift quickly particularly in the African context.
October 28, 2025 at 6:48 PM
where the chosen location proved unsuitable for large-scale development due to flooding. They can also struggle with economic and political instability, relying heavily on international investment or government funding, both of which can shift quickly particularly in the African context.
While I understand why new city projects are publicized early on to attract investment and global attention. This is sometimes done without a complete feasibility or financial assessment, which leads to major challenges later on. Many of these projects face infrastructural issues like South Sudan,
October 28, 2025 at 6:48 PM
While I understand why new city projects are publicized early on to attract investment and global attention. This is sometimes done without a complete feasibility or financial assessment, which leads to major challenges later on. Many of these projects face infrastructural issues like South Sudan,
while little is said about what happens behind the scenes, in a country where forced labor remains a documented issue.
October 28, 2025 at 6:35 PM
while little is said about what happens behind the scenes, in a country where forced labor remains a documented issue.
Beyond the concept of the city itself, it would have been necessary to address the labor context in Congo. Specifically, how this city is actually going to be built. I am skeptical of the promotional images showing leaders shoveling dirt for the cameras..
October 28, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Beyond the concept of the city itself, it would have been necessary to address the labor context in Congo. Specifically, how this city is actually going to be built. I am skeptical of the promotional images showing leaders shoveling dirt for the cameras..
That said, I do appreciate the idea of investing in local energy initiatives like wind farms, which, if designed and implemented thoughtfully, could truly benefit local communities.
October 28, 2025 at 6:24 PM
That said, I do appreciate the idea of investing in local energy initiatives like wind farms, which, if designed and implemented thoughtfully, could truly benefit local communities.
to drive national development is nearly impossible. Such projects often lack the historical, institutional, and infrastructural foundations needed for sustainable growth.
October 28, 2025 at 6:24 PM
to drive national development is nearly impossible. Such projects often lack the historical, institutional, and infrastructural foundations needed for sustainable growth.
It feels like history repeating itself, and it’s exhausting to see people claiming expertise or publishing grand visions without genuine planning or expertise behind them. We’ve seen time and again that expecting a city (especially a ‘special economic zone’) ...
October 28, 2025 at 6:24 PM
It feels like history repeating itself, and it’s exhausting to see people claiming expertise or publishing grand visions without genuine planning or expertise behind them. We’ve seen time and again that expecting a city (especially a ‘special economic zone’) ...
Finally, despite its scalability, 100000 people does not address the urban crisis in the densest cities.
October 28, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Finally, despite its scalability, 100000 people does not address the urban crisis in the densest cities.
However, one concern is in a world facing climate risks, what would happen in the event of a tsunami? In such a situation, there would be nowhere to run. Additionally, there is no comments on inclusivity, this project could be turned as a luxury housing holiday space rather than a real city.
October 28, 2025 at 5:49 PM
However, one concern is in a world facing climate risks, what would happen in the event of a tsunami? In such a situation, there would be nowhere to run. Additionally, there is no comments on inclusivity, this project could be turned as a luxury housing holiday space rather than a real city.
Oceanix emphasizes scalability and replicability, with plans to accommodate up to 100000 residents.
Durability is central, featuring photovoltaic panels, greenhouse, rainwater harvesting systems. It is engineered for ‘resilience’, capable of rising and falling with sea levels.
Durability is central, featuring photovoltaic panels, greenhouse, rainwater harvesting systems. It is engineered for ‘resilience’, capable of rising and falling with sea levels.
October 28, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Oceanix emphasizes scalability and replicability, with plans to accommodate up to 100000 residents.
Durability is central, featuring photovoltaic panels, greenhouse, rainwater harvesting systems. It is engineered for ‘resilience’, capable of rising and falling with sea levels.
Durability is central, featuring photovoltaic panels, greenhouse, rainwater harvesting systems. It is engineered for ‘resilience’, capable of rising and falling with sea levels.
Fourth, the infrastructure failures in planning and execution. And finally, the lack of maintenance and post investment planning, such as the supercomputer in the university that was never effectively utilized.
October 28, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Fourth, the infrastructure failures in planning and execution. And finally, the lack of maintenance and post investment planning, such as the supercomputer in the university that was never effectively utilized.
First, the poor financial management and misallocation of funds. Second, rushing ahead to reach South Korea's example without the strong historical or institutional foundation to support such development. Third, the political instability, with a change in government and shifting priorities.
October 28, 2025 at 5:30 PM
First, the poor financial management and misallocation of funds. Second, rushing ahead to reach South Korea's example without the strong historical or institutional foundation to support such development. Third, the political instability, with a change in government and shifting priorities.
It may represent a new model of growth.
However, the city has been experiencing planning setbacks.
However, the city has been experiencing planning setbacks.
October 28, 2025 at 5:11 PM
It may represent a new model of growth.
However, the city has been experiencing planning setbacks.
However, the city has been experiencing planning setbacks.
Branded as the Silicon Valley of Ecuador, focusing on industry, technology and education. It brings sustainability into play, with 40% of its area dedicated to green spaces and the use of recycled materials in construction.
October 28, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Branded as the Silicon Valley of Ecuador, focusing on industry, technology and education. It brings sustainability into play, with 40% of its area dedicated to green spaces and the use of recycled materials in construction.
Additionally, critics have raised concerns on the city's heavy reliance on hydrogen, arguing that this narrow focus limits the development of other renewable energy sources and misallocates hydrogen by prioritizing domestic use rather than more efficient industrial applications.
October 28, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Additionally, critics have raised concerns on the city's heavy reliance on hydrogen, arguing that this narrow focus limits the development of other renewable energy sources and misallocates hydrogen by prioritizing domestic use rather than more efficient industrial applications.
This raises questions about proportionality and feasibility, especially when compared to other new city projects that aim to house populations nearly 100 times larger with similar budgets.
October 28, 2025 at 4:54 PM
This raises questions about proportionality and feasibility, especially when compared to other new city projects that aim to house populations nearly 100 times larger with similar budgets.