A Vision for Decentralized Growth
Following a successful outcome in a preliminary concept competition, we were honored to be appointed as consultants for the Ulaanbaatar 2040 Master Plan. This significant undertaking addresses the future development of Mongolia's capital city, a dynamic urban center inhabited by over one million people. Our initial phase involved establishing a foundational framework, drawing critically upon the Ulaanbaatar 2030 development guidelines, which strongly advocated for the creation of new decentralized urban centers.
Our strategic approach aimed to augment these planned centers by integrating complementary "satellite magnetic activities." The objective was to foster a distributed network of points of interest and micro-centers, thereby cultivating diffused vitality across the city. This methodology seeks to counter the urban fragmentation resulting from rapid, often speculative growth and limited public investment in community aggregation points.
The proposed network is conceptualized around "mega blocks," intended for subsequent subdivision through private, compound-style developments. A core principle of our plan was to reduce the demand for extensive governmental investment in services, anticipating their increasing reliance on digital and dematerialized platforms.
In support of this urban structure, we introduced a refined hierarchical road system. This is designed to mitigate the considerable strain on the existing, critically challenged mobility infrastructure, thereby enhancing overall connectivity and flow within the envisioned decentralized urban fabric. Our consultancy endeavored to contribute a structured and sustainable pathway for Ulaanbaatar's future, promoting a more balanced and integrated urban landscape.