Emma
@emmadavidsonn.bsky.social
New York | Montreal
International Development Studies, French, & Urban Studies Student at McGill University
International Development Studies, French, & Urban Studies Student at McGill University
To reduce housing costs, I am not confident that Alatau can help. A typical theme in modern, new cities is catering to the elite and wealthy, offering only limited high-income residential homes and apartments. I hope that Alatau will offer many low-income options to cater to Kazakhs on every level.
November 10, 2025 at 4:41 PM
To reduce housing costs, I am not confident that Alatau can help. A typical theme in modern, new cities is catering to the elite and wealthy, offering only limited high-income residential homes and apartments. I hope that Alatau will offer many low-income options to cater to Kazakhs on every level.
Imagine what NAC could achieve if it emphasized affordable housing for low-income families. Only 1,500 families have moved in so far in limited high-end residential properties that have been completed. Around 35 million Egyptians living below the poverty line lack access to proper infrastructure.
November 10, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Imagine what NAC could achieve if it emphasized affordable housing for low-income families. Only 1,500 families have moved in so far in limited high-end residential properties that have been completed. Around 35 million Egyptians living below the poverty line lack access to proper infrastructure.
What's most eye-catching is that Cayalá translates to "paradise," but not as a reference to everyone. It is only a paradise to a select few elites. Meanwhile, Guatemala as a whole is struggling with decay and crime. Instead of expanding, the money should be put towards the rest of the population.
November 10, 2025 at 3:08 PM
What's most eye-catching is that Cayalá translates to "paradise," but not as a reference to everyone. It is only a paradise to a select few elites. Meanwhile, Guatemala as a whole is struggling with decay and crime. Instead of expanding, the money should be put towards the rest of the population.
I find it very interesting that the proposed city will be a botanical garden based on Mayan heritage and its connection to the natural and sacred world. While I appreciate Mexico's recognition of its culture and past, I find it concerning that a non-Mayan architect is in charge of the project.
November 10, 2025 at 5:23 AM
I find it very interesting that the proposed city will be a botanical garden based on Mayan heritage and its connection to the natural and sacred world. While I appreciate Mexico's recognition of its culture and past, I find it concerning that a non-Mayan architect is in charge of the project.
For a country that relies so heavily on tourism, handing control over to a Dutch firm raises questions about whether foreign investment would place a burden on its economy. Long-term ownership and decision-making power are crucial for the Maldives if they are to diversify their sources of GDP.
November 10, 2025 at 5:17 AM
For a country that relies so heavily on tourism, handing control over to a Dutch firm raises questions about whether foreign investment would place a burden on its economy. Long-term ownership and decision-making power are crucial for the Maldives if they are to diversify their sources of GDP.
Given that Egyptians continue to suffer from deteriorating infrastructure and the fragility of basic public services, El-Sisi's mega projects should be scaled back. Moving the capital to NAC won't solve Cairo's crises. Focusing on alleviating poverty in Cairo should be the top priority.
November 10, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Given that Egyptians continue to suffer from deteriorating infrastructure and the fragility of basic public services, El-Sisi's mega projects should be scaled back. Moving the capital to NAC won't solve Cairo's crises. Focusing on alleviating poverty in Cairo should be the top priority.
I am not so optimistic about whether the project will be completed, but I am hopeful about how Sri Lanka will position itself as the "Switzerland of the region." Attracting cases from India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, as a cheaper investment option from Singapore, is a great way to start.
November 10, 2025 at 4:59 AM
I am not so optimistic about whether the project will be completed, but I am hopeful about how Sri Lanka will position itself as the "Switzerland of the region." Attracting cases from India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, as a cheaper investment option from Singapore, is a great way to start.
What's most worrisome is that the city is being marketed to Chinese buyers in a way that makes it too expensive for local Malays to live there. As Chinese buyers aren't investing there at the moment, I am not optimistic that simply being part of the SEZ will be helpful in avoiding ghost city status.
November 10, 2025 at 4:51 AM
What's most worrisome is that the city is being marketed to Chinese buyers in a way that makes it too expensive for local Malays to live there. As Chinese buyers aren't investing there at the moment, I am not optimistic that simply being part of the SEZ will be helpful in avoiding ghost city status.
Egypt's move to attract foreign investment through New Alamein City is a great way to introduce "new city tourism" to the country. Insofar as it is home to educational institutions rather than just private companies and firms, it is a great way to attract full-time residents, especially families.
November 9, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Egypt's move to attract foreign investment through New Alamein City is a great way to introduce "new city tourism" to the country. Insofar as it is home to educational institutions rather than just private companies and firms, it is a great way to attract full-time residents, especially families.
Nusantara will not effectively mitigate the effects of climate change in Indonesia. It seems like it is a distraction from the real effects of flooding on Jakarta. Relocating Jakarta's political center to Nusantara won't alter its climate emergency, as it continues to sink until action is taken.
November 9, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Nusantara will not effectively mitigate the effects of climate change in Indonesia. It seems like it is a distraction from the real effects of flooding on Jakarta. Relocating Jakarta's political center to Nusantara won't alter its climate emergency, as it continues to sink until action is taken.
Spending for giga projects in KSA has been plunging. Another project by Neom, called Sindalah, is a far easier project from a technical perspective than Trojena. It was launched last year but still remains unopened to the public. Trojena's fate is unpredictable, but could be analogous to Sindalah's.
November 9, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Spending for giga projects in KSA has been plunging. Another project by Neom, called Sindalah, is a far easier project from a technical perspective than Trojena. It was launched last year but still remains unopened to the public. Trojena's fate is unpredictable, but could be analogous to Sindalah's.
Announced in 2022, the project was slated to feature ski slopes atop a luxury hotel, a lake over a mountain cliff, and a crystal skyscraper, with completion planned for 2026. Now approaching the deadline, solutions such as relocating the games to another country may eventually need to be considered.
November 9, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Announced in 2022, the project was slated to feature ski slopes atop a luxury hotel, a lake over a mountain cliff, and a crystal skyscraper, with completion planned for 2026. Now approaching the deadline, solutions such as relocating the games to another country may eventually need to be considered.
With this, it reveals a potential niche as a recreational destination, despite its currently flawed design, as it has so far managed to attract only 10,000 residents out of the project's 2 million target as of 2024.
November 9, 2025 at 5:49 PM
With this, it reveals a potential niche as a recreational destination, despite its currently flawed design, as it has so far managed to attract only 10,000 residents out of the project's 2 million target as of 2024.
What's impressive is its port, being the first privately owned, developed, and operated port in the Middle East. It earned the title of the world's most efficient port in the Middle East by the World Bank in 2021. Its golf course also earned recognition as the best in Saudi Arabia.
November 9, 2025 at 5:46 PM
What's impressive is its port, being the first privately owned, developed, and operated port in the Middle East. It earned the title of the world's most efficient port in the Middle East by the World Bank in 2021. Its golf course also earned recognition as the best in Saudi Arabia.
KAEC is currently being developed across a large area comparable to Washington, D.C. At the heart is Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, led by Crown Prince Salman, which aims to establish the country as a strategically positioned key logistics hub, linking Europe, Asia, and Africa via the Suez Canal.
November 9, 2025 at 5:44 PM
KAEC is currently being developed across a large area comparable to Washington, D.C. At the heart is Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, led by Crown Prince Salman, which aims to establish the country as a strategically positioned key logistics hub, linking Europe, Asia, and Africa via the Suez Canal.
Critics argue that its design prioritizes control over flexibility, as it fails to leverage the intelligence of its citizens. It has become disconnected from the kind of organic innovation that drives current cities' growth and success. There is discourse if AI will help Songdo in this context.
November 9, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Critics argue that its design prioritizes control over flexibility, as it fails to leverage the intelligence of its citizens. It has become disconnected from the kind of organic innovation that drives current cities' growth and success. There is discourse if AI will help Songdo in this context.
As a $40 billion smart city, concerns arise about a system that's more responsive than human capabilities. It was initially designed in 2002 to be the first smart city of the future. In practice, however, like other smart city projects, Songdo fell short in its pursuit of "organic innovation."
November 9, 2025 at 5:33 PM
As a $40 billion smart city, concerns arise about a system that's more responsive than human capabilities. It was initially designed in 2002 to be the first smart city of the future. In practice, however, like other smart city projects, Songdo fell short in its pursuit of "organic innovation."
There is concern in its status as an SEZ because, while it eases pressure, it risks creating isolated pockets of efficiency rather than addressing Kenya's broader urban infrastructure challenges. Moving firms out of Nairobi doesn't solve its structural issues; it just shifts activity northward.
November 9, 2025 at 5:29 PM
There is concern in its status as an SEZ because, while it eases pressure, it risks creating isolated pockets of efficiency rather than addressing Kenya's broader urban infrastructure challenges. Moving firms out of Nairobi doesn't solve its structural issues; it just shifts activity northward.
Tatu City's purpose is to position itself as East Africa's investment and industrial hub. The project began in 2010 when firms began running out of space in expensive Nairobi, and now more than 100 licensed enterprises are already operating there (70% being locally/Kenyan owned).
November 9, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Tatu City's purpose is to position itself as East Africa's investment and industrial hub. The project began in 2010 when firms began running out of space in expensive Nairobi, and now more than 100 licensed enterprises are already operating there (70% being locally/Kenyan owned).
KSA has faced significant criticism regarding its methods for clearing land for development. Thousands of ppl have been forcibly removed from the area to make way for it. It appears that many newly built cities are employing eye-catching plans to divert attention from their controversial origins.
November 9, 2025 at 5:10 AM
KSA has faced significant criticism regarding its methods for clearing land for development. Thousands of ppl have been forcibly removed from the area to make way for it. It appears that many newly built cities are employing eye-catching plans to divert attention from their controversial origins.
The Line's original plan was to house 9 million people, which would be over 1/4 of Saudi Arabia's current population. The downsized plan will only hold a fraction of that amount, with a projected 300,000 residents in a city only a few miles long. Other similar NEOM projects are facing the same fate.
November 9, 2025 at 5:07 AM
The Line's original plan was to house 9 million people, which would be over 1/4 of Saudi Arabia's current population. The downsized plan will only hold a fraction of that amount, with a projected 300,000 residents in a city only a few miles long. Other similar NEOM projects are facing the same fate.