The development plan for Ulaanbaatar until 2040 is submitted to Parliament.

👁️👁️ Ulaanbaatar in 2040: A Vision of the Future

The ambitious construction plan requires ₮243 trillion in funding, with 51% coming from foreign and domestic private investments, and 49% from state budgets, foreign loans, aid, and bonds. Ulaanbaatar’s population is expected to grow by 25%, reaching 2 million. To accommodate this growth, 405,000 people will settle in satellite cities, which will require additional heating, electricity, housing, and infrastructure. Key highlights include:

• 🏙️🌆 Satellite cities: 14 city centers, 14 local-level cities, and 42 neighborhoods as "20-minute cities."
• 🔥 Heat Sources: 15 new locations double the current heat load to 7,480 MW.
• ⚡ Energy: Electricity generation increases by 4.6 times to 5,408 MW, with 30% from renewables.

🏃‍♂️‍➡️ A Future Metropolis?

Housing increases to 91%, reducing ger areas to 9%. The metro system, designed to serve 1.2 million passengers daily, significantly enhances transport accessibility, with operations expected to begin by 2028.

• 🚋 Transportation Infrastructure: On the surface, they plan to construct 8 horizontal, 12 vertical, and 3 circular tracks, totaling 17,000 km.
•  Improved Traffic Flow: As a result, during rush hour, speeds rise to 22.5 km/h, allowing 5 km to be covered in 13.2 minutes, compared to the current 9 km/h.

🔕 Distrust in Promises

Mongolians remain skeptical, recalling past reforms that were abandoned. While some improvements are visible, many fear the lack of long-term planning and execution. Feasibility studies for large-scale projects are questioned, raising concerns about whether these grand visions will materialize or join the list of shelved initiatives.

🎯 Political Challenges

Political interference and changing administrations often disrupt long-term projects. Without stable governance and commitment, even well-planned initiatives face delays or cancellations. Ensuring continuity across political terms is critical for the success of Ulaanbaatar's transformation.

Whether Ulaanbaatar will truly become the metropolis envisioned depends on ambitious construction projects and overcoming political and logistical hurdles. The city’s future hinges on consistent leadership, effective planning, and the ability to turn promises into reality.