Blog 6: A New City

Kristin Nicholson       

October 5, 2012

Charter City in Georgia

In Zugdidi, Georgia, they are making way for a modern city. Georgia is situated near the Black and Caspian Seas. Zugdid, Georgia is city of about 65,000 that has been gradually losing population. There is a proposed new city and maritime port on the coast. This potential city is being planned with hopes of attracting more people from rural areas. This city would contain distinct regulatory and judicial systems that could attract foreign investors to build factories. The proposed site is at the edge of the Kolkheti wetlands. According to the article, hopeful government officials think that this new city could attract half a million residents in a country of about 4.5 million that is neither growing in population nor urbanizing. As usual, with the prospect of a new city, some citizens welcome the city while others have their doubts. Some people are skeptical about the environmental concerns. Since the proposed site is a wetland area, many believe that the soil will not support the projected high rise buildings. With no investors committing to the $600 million to $900 million project, there are also financial concerns surrounding this urbanization project.

Not surprisingly, there is a dilemma with the proposed project. Build a new city to attract more people and businesses or possibly lose millions of money along with fragile natural habitats? There are many examples of projects such as these that were successful. An example includes charter cities in China that were very prosperous, attracting much economic growth to the area.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/world/europe/in-georgia-plans-for-an-instant-city.html?pagewanted=2&ref=georgia&_r=0