Dongtan, Planned eco-city site in Chongming District, China
Dongtan is a planned development site at the eastern tip of Chongming Island, positioned where the Yangtze River meets the East China Sea. The project area covers extensive land designed for future urban growth.
The project began in 2005 with backing from British engineering firm Arup and local investors, but halted in 2010 before any buildings were constructed. The site remained largely undeveloped after this point.
The location borders Chongming Dongtan Nature Reserve, which provides habitat for 111 species of migratory waterbirds and maintains traditional Chinese environmental preservation methods.
The location is not easily accessible today since infrastructure is still being developed and most areas remain closed to visitors. A planned metro connection will eventually link it to Shanghai's transportation network.
The original vision included a completely carbon-neutral city powered by wind turbines and waste-to-energy systems. This approach represented an innovative take on sustainable urban planning at the time.
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