The £80bn ‘ghost city’ in Malaysia is home to several unfinished skyscrapers, with hardly anyone in sight.
Nine years after its launch, it’s estimated that just 15 percent of the project has been completed, with only one percent of it currently occupied, the BBC reports.
The city is mostly deserted, with vacant streets and buildings, earning it the label of a ‘ghost town’.
Unveiled in 2016 by Country Garden, China’s largest property developer, the project was part of a £78.9bn project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative designed to invest in global infrastructure.
Country Garden’s ambitious plan envisioned an eco-friendly metropolis for nearly a million residents, with a projected completion date of 2035.
The city was intended to feature residential and commercial skyscrapers covered in greenery to reduce noise and air pollution, alongside a car-free environment.
The design also included a golf course, waterpark, offices, bars, and restaurants.
An IT engineer who initially moved to Forest City, shared with the BBC that he left after just six months of renting a one-bedroom apartment with a sea view.
“I didn’t care about my deposit, I didn’t care about the money. I just had to get out.
“I’m getting goosebumps just being back. It’s lonely around here – it’s just you and your thoughts.”
He added: “To be honest, it’s creepy. I had high expectations for this place, but it was such a bad experience. There is nothing to do here.”
Several factors, including the COVID pandemic, discouraged potential buyers, and the financial difficulties of its developer, Country Garden, contributed to the project’s struggles.
Although efforts to revitalise the area continue, the future of the city still remains uncertain.
Both Country Garden and the Malaysian government are reportedly hoping that an increase in Chinese tourism will help the project come to fruition.
