Ghost Cities: A Global Look at Failed Capital City Projects
From Myanmar's empty avenues to India's unfinished metropolis, several attempts to relocate or establish new capitals have resulted in underpopulated urban centers.
Relocating a nation's capital is a monumental undertaking, often fraught with challenges that can lead to significant financial expenditure and incomplete development. Around the world, several ambitious projects aimed at creating new capitals or shifting them from existing hubs have resulted in sparsely populated urban areas, often dubbed 'ghost towns'.
Naypyidaw, Myanmar
Naypyidaw became Myanmar's capital in 2005, moved from Yangon with little public explanation. Construction began in 2002 in a remote jungle location. The city spans a vast area, six times the size of New York City, and was primarily built for government staff. Consequently, it appears more like a ghost town than a bustling metropolis. Its infrastructure includes up to 20-lane motorways, designed for government vehicles, which are frequently seen empty.
Dodoma, Tanzania
In 1973, Tanzania officially designated Dodoma as its capital, shifting from Dar es Salaam. However, much of the country's economic and commercial activity remains in Dar es Salaam, leading many to consider the move largely unsuccessful. The relocation project also took significantly longer than anticipated, extending to 50 years instead of the planned decade. Furthermore, many embassies and consulates chose to keep their headquarters in Dar es Salaam rather than moving to Dodoma.
Putrajaya, Malaysia
In the 1990s, efforts were made to shift Malaysia's capital status to Putrajaya, an administrative hub founded in 1995. The intention was for Putrajaya to replace Kuala Lumpur. However, it never fully supplanted Kuala Lumpur as the nation's vibrant commercial center, earning the nickname 'ghost town' over its three decades of existence. One description noted the city's stunning architecture but a critical lack of real life, likening it to a movie set.
Brasilia, Brazil
Inaugurated in 1960, Brasilia was designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer with a utopian vision, shaped like an airplane. Celebrated for its distinctive modern architecture, the city has faced criticism for its urban planning, which prioritized cars over pedestrian life. This design choice has contributed to a quieter, less vibrant atmosphere compared to other Brazilian cities. As a result, a significant portion of its population resides in surrounding satellite towns.
Amaravati, India
Proposed as a forward-looking 'Smart City' aligned with India's sustainability goals and the UN's 2030 Agenda, Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh has faced significant delays and uncertainty. The ambitious £12 billion project envisioned a modern metropolis with extensive green spaces, bridges, and skyscrapers. However, years later, the site, meaning 'abode of the gods', remains largely undeveloped with much of the land cleared but construction incomplete, consisting primarily of empty concrete structures and agricultural plots. The project is currently in a high-speed development phase, with its final form yet to emerge.
