Xiong'an: The Limitations Revealed - Unraveling the Challenge of Building Sustainable Metropolises That Consistently Thrive

Xiong'an: The Limitations Revealed - Unraveling the Challenge of Building Sustainable Metropolises That Consistently Thrive

Feb 28 2025 By Cassandra Drake/ Trash Talk/ Cityscapes & Urbanization/ 0 Disparaging Comments

What the hell happened to Xiong'an New Area, China's so-called eco-friendly and innovative urban masterpiece? This ambitious project, positioned around 100 kilometers southwest of Beijing, aimed to alleviate the capital's congestion and serve as a beacon for sustainable urban development. But, here we are, and Xiong'an is still a ghost town. Let's dissect the bloody mess that led to this shitshow.

• The Fuck-Up of Xiong'an: An Eco-Apocalypse
• The Vain Promises of Sustainable Cities
  • 1. That Shitty Location and Accessibility
  • 2. Money Makes the City Go Round... But Not Always
  • 3. Green is Cool, but Without a Fucking Scene, Who Gives a Shit?
  • 4. Master Planned Equals Monotonous, Rigid Cities
  • 5. Politically-Driven Urban Playgrounds: Failures Galore
• A Sustainable Shitheap is Still a Shitheap

The Fucked-Up Vision of Xiong'an: A Failed Utopia

China unveiled plans for Xiong'an New Area in April 2017. Spanning the counties of Xiong, Rongcheng, and Anxin in Hebei Province, it covered approximately 2,000 square kilometers. With the grandmaster plan extending to 2035, Xiong'an promised to become a city powered entirely by renewable energy, boasting extensive green spaces, smart infrastructure, and efficient public transportation systems. The ultimate goal was to transform the city into a high-level socialist modern city by 2035 and a leading international city by 2050.

Fast-forward to May 2023, and President Xi Jinping conducted an inspection of the area. As a result, the government announced ambitious plans to accelerate construction and relocate non-essential capital functions to Xiong'an. Policies were enacted to entice businesses and residents, including financial incentives and infrastructure improvements.

Despite these attempts, the city remains a desolate wasteland.

As of 2024, the population was estimated at 1,240,160, representing a laughable 4.83% annual increase. This pathetic figure is far below the initial target of 2 to 3 million residents.

The Empty Promises of Sustainable Cities

Sustainable cities should be the holy grail of urban development - balancing economic, social, and environmental factors while keeping infrastructure efficient, energy-saving, and cost-effective. But if a city isn't strategically located or lacks affordable housing and other necessities, who gives a flying fuck about sustainability?

Xiong'an was created as an example of this utopian approach. Announced in 2017, it was intended to alleviate Beijing's overcrowding, attract high-tech industries, and become a shining example of modern, sustainable urban development. The Chinese government invested billions into constructing smart infrastructure, extensive green spaces, and renewable energy resources. But it's like feeding a starving man and expecting him to build a skyscraper.

Here's the rundown:

• Green Energy: The city aims to operate solely on renewable energy sources, consequently reducing its carbon footprint.
• Environmental Restoration: Efforts include reforestation projects to increase forest coverage from 11% to 34.9%.
• *Smart City* Infrastructure: Plans incorporate advanced technologies like 5G, AI, and IoT to enhance urban living and resource efficiency.

And yet, despite these Herculean efforts, Xiong'an remains depressing as hell. So, what went wrong?

1. That Shitty Location and Accessibility

A city can be as green as the Emerald City, but if it's not easily accessible, who the fuck wants to live there? Xiong'an is a massive pain in the ass to reach, as it's over 100 kilometers from Beijing. High-speed rail connections may exist, but they fail to draw significant numbers of residents.

Xiong'an's proximity to Baiyangdian Lake makes it vulnerable to flooding. That's like building a city on a fucking lakebed - you already know it's going to be a disaster!

2. Money Makes the City Go Round... But Not Always

Sustainable cities require a robust fucking economy to attract businesses and residents. Xiong'an proved incapable of enticing high-tech companies, state-owned enterprises, or research institutions to relocate. Instead of attracting economic dynamism, it managed to repel it.

Moreover, people need more reasons to move than just the allure of green energy and high-tech infrastructure. Without jobs, entertainment, and cultural attractions, Xiong'an remains a desolate wasteland.

3. Green is Cool, But Without a Scene, Who Gives a Shit?

Xiong'an boasted renewable energy, smart infrastructure, and extensive green spaces, but it lacked cultural vibrancy and a sense of community. A city is more than a collection of buildings, roads, and parks. It's about creating a place where people want to live and thrive.

4. Master Planned Equals Monotonous, Rigid Cities

Xiong'an's development was highly controlled, failing to create a dynamic city that adapts to the changing needs of its residents. In contrast, organically grown cities develop and evolve over time, responding to market forces and community feedback.

5. Politically-Driven Urban Playgrounds: Failures Galore

Large-scale government-led urban projects risk creating artificial, rigid environments that don't reflect the diversity and dynamism of organic urban growth. When political ambition outweighs practical considerations, cities end up as monotonous, uninhabitable deserts.

A Sustainable Shitheap is Still a Shitheap

The Xiong'an New Area debacle demonstrates that sustainability must be paired with affordability, economic opportunities, and cultural appeal to draw people in. Politics and grandiose plans can create impressive infrastructure, but without the support of businesses, residents, and investors, a sustainable city is just another abandoned ghost town.

• Xiong'an New Area, advertised as an eco-friendly city, has fallen short of expectations and remains a ghost town.
• The city's location and accessibility became a major barrier to attracting residents and businesses, hindering its potential for sustainable growth.
• Despite substantial investments in renewable energy, Xiong'an failed to achieve economic dynamism, falling short of its goal of attracting high-tech industries and research institutions.
• Balancing environmental concerns with affordable housing, job opportunities, and cultural attractions is key to the success of a sustainable city.
• Overly controlled urban development may result in monotonous, rigid cities that struggle to adapt to changing needs and circumstances.
• Politically-driven urban projects, such as Xiong'an, often lack the diverse and vibrant appeal needed to draw in residents and investors.
• Sustainable cities must cater to more than just green energy and infrastructure, providing a desirable lifestyle and cultural scene to attract people.
• The failure of Xiong'an serves as a cautionary tale for future urban development projects, demonstrating the importance of considering economic, social, and environmental factors simultaneously.
• Xiong'an's fate reminds us that even in a city powered by renewable energy, high technology, and extensive green spaces, a lack of affordability, economic opportunities, and cultural appeal can still result in a desolate wasteland.

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