The city of Ordos, in China, is practically empty due to excessive planning that led to massive construction of infrastructure without real demand from the population. This has created a gap between the supply of housing and the ability of local residents to buy them, leaving many buildings vacant.
In the early 2000s, with the ambition to quickly modernize certain remote areas, China embarked on a massive urban construction program. Ordos, a city located in Inner Mongolia, benefited from this economic boom due to its significant coal reserves, which at the time seemed to promise a lot. The wealth generated by the mining industry then prompted local authorities to invest heavily in brand new infrastructure, from modern housing to gigantic roads and vast shopping centers. They bet on spectacular population growth, placing much hope on the arrival of new residents attracted by the region's apparent prosperity. However, the forecasts were far too optimistic: the newly built housing constructed at breakneck speed remains largely empty, forming what is now referred to as one of China's most famous "ghost cities."
Built during a massive real estate bubble in China, Ordos has become a typical symbol of unchecked construction fever. At the time, many developers bet that the region would quickly attract new residents. The result: vast residential and commercial areas sprang up without any real demand behind them. On top of that, apartment prices were completely exaggerated compared to the average income of Chinese people — in short, no one could really afford these homes. As a result, not enough sales, a somewhat crazy real estate speculation, and a mountain of debt among developers: the perfect recipe for leaving a brand new city almost entirely empty.
Ordos is the pure product of a political ambition to rapidly develop northern China, with massive government investments in real estate and infrastructure. The problem: the authorities miscalculated the actual demand for housing, opting instead for the risky approach of building first and attracting residents later. The result is a brand-new city with the appearance of a ghost town, too large for the actual number of interested people. Another major issue: local governments, driven by numerical targets set in Beijing, massively speculated on land to finance their development, leading to a surge in real estate prices that was completely detached from the regional economic reality. By focusing solely on construction, these government urban policies neglected to create enough jobs and sustainable local economic activities, further hindering the sustainable settlement of residents.
China has experienced significant internal movements in recent decades: hundreds of millions of people have moved from rural areas to cities, but this migration mainly concerns large metropolises and well-connected, dynamic coastal cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou. Ordos, on the other hand, is located somewhat in the middle of nowhere, in the heart of Inner Mongolia, quite far from attractive economic centers. As a result, despite all its beautiful brand-new buildings, Ordos does not really appeal to young people or migrant workers, who are instead looking for concrete and immediate economic opportunities. Additionally, there is a relatively low regional population, making it difficult to fill the vast neighborhoods constructed far too generously compared to actual needs. Without a real local or regional demographic momentum, it's not easy to create a vibrant city, even with the most modern infrastructure.
The city of Ordos struggles to attract a sustainable population partly due to a lack of sense of belonging. Here, everything is new and built at a rapid pace, so residents do not really feel a cultural or social attachment to the place. Many Chinese people prefer to live in areas where their roots, family, or culture are already firmly established, and Ordos clearly lacks these landmarks. Furthermore, the glaring absence of a strong community life, with very few social activities or traditional meeting places, is problematic. Without vibrant shops, bustling markets, or dynamic cultural venues, the city does not really appeal to families and young adults who are looking for more than just a new place to live. In short, it's beautiful, it's modern, but it clearly lacks human warmth.
Although it is nicknamed 'ghost town', Ordos boasts remarkable modern infrastructure, including museums, parks, and even a Formula 2 circuit used occasionally.
The Ordos Museum, designed by a prestigious architectural firm (MAD Architects), has gained worldwide fame for its futuristic dune-like aesthetic, yet still attracts relatively few local and international visitors.
Ordos has considerable natural resources, such as coal and rare earth elements, making it one of the richest regions in China in terms of GDP per capita, despite its paradoxically low occupancy rate.
In response to the initial failure of settlement, the city of Ordos is now trying to attract young professionals and start-ups through fiscal and economic incentives.
Sure! Here’s the translation: "Yes, the city of Ordos attracts the curious and photographers intrigued by its almost supernatural atmosphere. Visitors can notably observe its vast deserted avenues, empty real estate complexes, monumental sculptures, as well as museums and cultural infrastructures that are often underutilized."
Building a sparsely populated or uninhabited city generates significant waste of natural resources, such as water, energy, and certain construction materials. Moreover, the maintenance of underutilized infrastructure adds additional costs and can lead to long-term ecological issues.
Sure! Here’s the translation: "Yes, the city is gradually starting to welcome more residents, but many neighborhoods remain vacant. The authorities are trying to revitalize the local population by offering economic incentives and adjusting real estate policies to sustainably attract internal migration within China."
The city of Ordos is often referred to as a 'ghost town' because, despite its massive investments in modern infrastructure, it remains sparsely populated. This is largely due to poor urban planning, excessively high real estate prices, and a lack of long-term economic appeal.
Yes, Ordos is not an isolated case. Other cities, like Tianducheng (the Chinese replica of Paris near Hangzhou), have faced the same phenomenon: rapid and ambitious construction, but difficulty in attracting residents sustainably.
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