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Akassia Molina @akassiam.bsky.social · 2d

In terms of completion, all that has been built so far is a prototype of a cluster of houses to be attached to the concrete structure.

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Akassia Molina @akassiam.bsky.social · 2d

However, their own census data reports a median income of ~20k a year, meanwhile the cheapest unit in the city goes for 100k. Despite best efforts, they also introduced dredging to the master plan, a process that harms the seabed and its ecosystems.

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Akassia Molina @akassiam.bsky.social · 2d

#NewCities The Maldives is partnering with Dutch architects to develop a new city made of a concrete structure anchored to the sea floor and floating homes attached to it. It aims to be mixed use, affordable for locals and also hosting businesses and resorts.
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Akassia Molina @akassiam.bsky.social · 3d

Making an "eco-city" and diversifying away from oil is no easy feat, no matter now much wealth a nation has. However, the UAE government stands firm that the biggest mistake would have been not to try at all, and wants to participate in building a sustainable future for the world.

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Akassia Molina @akassiam.bsky.social · 3d

Although it works as a research hub for a few companies, it failed to become the mixed-use, livable city it was envisioned to be, with many commuting in. Deadlines for completion have been scaled back indefinitely.

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Akassia Molina @akassiam.bsky.social · 3d

#NewCities The UAE's attempt at a carbon-neutral eco-city, Masdar city, stands at only 5% completion. The city's ambitions included "subway pods" and solar powered buildings. The city continues to rely on Abu Dhabi's coal and gas powered energy systems. www.fastcompany.com/90995444/the...

The UAE's 'green city' is a cautionary tale—it's hard to build a climate haven, no matter how much oil money you have

Masdar City was first envisioned as a sustainable city of tomorrow. That has yet to transpire.

www.fastcompany.com

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Akassia Molina @akassiam.bsky.social · 8d

I doubt the absorption of these new trees would be more significant than that of the natural forest, while being extremely expensive and damaging the local ecosystem. I understand efforts to make cities more green, but destroying a lush forest for this project seems absurd and counter-intuitive.

Akassia Molina @akassiam.bsky.social · 8d

Crazy to me that a project that would require the entire globe's steel production for 1 year and destroy local ecosystems was every credibly sold as an “eco-city.” These terms are a lousy attempt at distracting the public and media from the true wastefulness of such an undertaking.

Akassia Molina @akassiam.bsky.social · 8d

The city remains empty- it's 120,000 residents mostly make up locals and construction workers. Valued at $93 billion, Xi is sparing no effort to make sure that Xiong'an is a success; flood water has been diverted from Xiong'an into neighboring regions, devastating villages and sparking protests.

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Akassia Molina @akassiam.bsky.social · 8d

#newcities Xi hopes Xiong’an—His flagship legacy project— will mirror Shenzhen’s success. However, while Shenzhen thrived on market freedom and local autonomy, Xiong’an is meticulously master-planned and centrally controlled, prioritizing state run industries.
youtu.be/B2E66NemE9A?...

Why Chinese President Xi’s $93B Personal Megacity Remains Empty | WSJ

YouTube video by The Wall Street Journal

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Akassia Molina @akassiam.bsky.social · 10d

The rhetoric used in these projects causes the artificially created green spaces to be seen as a one-to-one replacement of wild or potentially rewilded land given over to development. In reality, these features often require large amounts of resources and expertise to function.

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Akassia Molina @akassiam.bsky.social · 10d

There is a vast difference between the rhetoric of green cities and their actual energy saved and carbon sequestered. The manmade greenery is sold as something having always been part of the landscape, but if the forest is a master-planned mechanical system, is it still a forest?

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Akassia Molina @akassiam.bsky.social · 10d

#NewCities The article refers to “green” cities such as Forest city as the new “Eco-cloaking device for mass construction,” designed to distract us from the real ecological costs of the project. www.harvarddesignmagazine.org/articles/for...

Forest, Tower, City: Rethinking the Green Machine Aesthetic

In many ways, the forests of Stefano Boeri’s Bosco Verticale towers in Milan (2009–2014) are both lovely and functional. Boeri […]

www.harvarddesignmagazine.org

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Akassia Molina @akassiam.bsky.social · 13d

They take advantage of a real issue to justify a project that- even if completed- won’t come close to solving the problem or benefitting those most in need of solutions. At the very least, it’s not taxpayer dollars being used in this project.

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Akassia Molina @akassiam.bsky.social · 13d

Supply of housing in the Bay Area is not the root of the crisis- it’s affordability. Experts estimate a fraction of the money needed for California forever could solve homelessness in San Francisco.

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Akassia Molina @akassiam.bsky.social · 13d

California Forever is sold as both a solution to the housing crisis in San Francisco and a Techno Utopia. The tech giants behind the project are currently pouring thousands into advertising campaigns to convince locals to vote in favor of the project.

#NewCities www.vanityfair.com/news/califor...

“California Forever,” the Billionaire-Backed City No One Asked For

Jan Sramek wants to “deliver a big solution” to the state’s housing crisis by building a new town from scratch. He may have considered every detail, but that doesn’t mean he’s been very considerate.

www.vanityfair.com

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Akassia Molina @akassiam.bsky.social · 15d

The article tries to sell the project as a luxury project for the elite, but also tries to claim locals will be able to afford and partake in the attractions. The project may create local jobs, but may also cause deep ecological damage and displace other livelihoods like fishing.

Akassia Molina @akassiam.bsky.social · 15d

Not only is it incredibly ambitious as is, the carbon footprint of building an entirely new city from scratch often outweighs the green energy benefits. Then again, this green energy is often hard to implement in existing cities, hence why governments like to start from scratch.

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