NEW KARKHORUM
Kharkhorum, Mongolia 2024
Location
Kharkhorin, Mongolia
Promoter
The urban planning administration of New Kharkhorum city of Mongolia
Status: International competition
Year
2024
Design team
Sergio Bianchi with Fiorella Campodonico Roy, Piercarlo Mosca, Sean Moyano, Silvia Perobelli, Hilal Yilmaz, Shayan Baranian Kasir, Nazanin Ommi, Alireza Safaei, Fernando Pico
Video
Alberto Besi, Lorenza Pigliamosche, Enrico Riccioni
The New Kharkhorum project in Mongolia envisions an innovative and sustainable city designed to tackle climate change challenges and improve quality of life. The goal is to create a zero-carbon city by 2070, powered by renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal. A key feature of the project is the construction of the city on elevated platforms, 25 meters above the ground. This design allows the land below to remain free from asphalt and concrete, preserving it for sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation.
This elevated structure integrates natural areas with urban infrastructure, reducing environmental impact and creating open spaces for parks and farming. A smart transportation system, featuring eco-friendly public transit and elevated roadways, will reduce the need for private vehicles, improving mobility and lowering pollution. The project also includes a closed-loop waste management system, focusing on reducing, reusing, and recycling waste, along with an integrated water management approach that collects rainwater and recycles greywater.
Urban and hydroponic farming will play a crucial role in the city’s food self-sufficiency, reducing reliance on imports and minimizing the environmental impact of food production. In summary, New Kharkhorum is designed as an ecological and resilient city, where technological innovation and environmental stewardship combine to create an urban space in harmony with nature, ready to face the challenges of the future.
