Big cities are often at the heart of progress, bringing together culture, business, and opportunities for people.
Some cities grow naturally over centuries, while others are built from scratch to create something entirely new.
One such project was Modderfontein in South Africa, once branded as the “New York of Africa.”
Located just outside Johannesburg, Modderfontein was an ambitious plan for a £4.2 billion “eco-smart city” with everything from luxury skyscrapers to parks.
The developers promised 50,000 homes, 300,000 jobs, and state-of-the-art facilities, including hospitals, schools, and shopping malls.
The city was even designed to connect to Johannesburg’s financial district, Sandton, via a high-speed Gautrain link in just seven minutes.
The project was led by Shanghai-based Zendai Group, which bought the 1,600-hectare site in 2013.
It had big plans to create a modern, self-sufficient city blending urban life with nature. The area, once home to a dynamite factory, even had a private nature reserve to make it an “eco-friendly” development.
Zendai’s chairman, Dai Zhikang, boldly claimed it would become “the future capital of the whole of Africa.”
But the dream never came to life. The city of Johannesburg insisted the development include 5,000 affordable housing units to address local needs.
Zendai wanted to focus on luxury homes and refused to make changes. This led to a two-year standoff over planning permission.
The lack of integration with existing infrastructure, like Johannesburg’s bus and public transit systems, also raised concerns.
Some construction began in 2015, with roads and a few housing units completed, but financial struggles hit the project hard. By 2017, Zendai sold the land to South African developer M&T, and the grand plans were replaced by smaller gated communities and low-density housing.
Critics say the collapse was a missed opportunity. The original plans included schools, healthcare, and community spaces, aiming to create a vibrant, inclusive city.
Instead, the site is now scattered with developments with little connection to the original vision. However, others see it differently. Johannesburg stood firm in its demand for affordable housing, pushing back against a project that would only benefit the wealthy.