AMARAVATI, India — A new city, Amaravati, is being built in an area of 217 square kilometers, about the size of Seattle, along the banks of the Krishna River in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
It is the country’s first greenfield capital in decades, and is being hailed as a viable option to its polluted, congested cities, which are often seen as failures of urban planning.
But activists say farmers are being driven from their homes for Amaravati, whose name means “place of immortals,” and that the project also ignores its ecological impact.
Here are five modern, purpose-built cities that have also sparked debates around public interest:
Astana — Often dubbed the world’s weirdest capital, the Kazakh capital was moved here in 1997. The urban plan was drawn up by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, and the city is known for its futuristic buildings.
Brasilia — Arguably the most famous planned city in the world, it was founded in 1960. It is distinguished by its modern architecture, chiefly designed by Oscar Niemeyer, and it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Yet the city is dogged by an inadequate mass transportation system, segregation, and neglected public spaces.
Canberra — The site for the capital was chosen as a compromise between rivals Sydney and Melbourne, Australia’s two largest cities. Construction began in 1913 but was beset by delays, and the Commonwealth parliament moved to Canberra in 1927. Despite its high standard of living, the city is little known overseas and little loved even within Australia.
Naypyitaw — The capital of Myanmar was moved from Yangon to the center of the country in 2005. Covering nearly 7,000 square kilometers — about four times the size of London — it features a 20-lane avenue, multiple golf courses and a replica of Yangon’s famous golden Shwedagon Pagoda. Yet, its wide streets are mostly empty, as relatively few live there.
Songdo — The International Business District in Songdo is built on reclaimed land along the Yellow Sea. All apartment buildings and businesses are built within 12 minutes from bus or subway stops. There are sensors to monitor temperature, energy use and traffic flow, and a pneumatic tube system for garbage disposal. The district was the backdrop for the blockbuster music video for “Gangnam Style” by Korean pop star Psy.
