Senegal is building a $2 billion futuristic city to help cut down on overcrowding in Dakar - check out its abstract design

Aria Bendix

Sep 5, 2018, 22:44 IST

Senegal is building a $2 billion futuristic city to help cut down on overcrowding in Dakar - check out its abstract design

Hussein Bakri/BAD Consultant/Semer Group

A rendering of Diamniadio Lake City in Senegal

Senegalese leaders have long dreamed of building a new urban center amid mounting congestion and overcrowding in the capital city of Dakar. With a population that exceeds three million, the city plays host to skyrocketing housing costs and visibly high levels of unemployment. On any given day, locals encounter gridlocked roads, cramped minibuses, and large groups of unemployed workers lingering on street corners.

A new development promises to alleviate some of this pressure. After securing approval in 2013, developers are set to finish construction of Diamniadio, a $2 billion futuristic city less than 20 miles outside Dakar, by 2035. At the end of last year, the minister in charge of the project, Cheikh Kanté, said it was around 80% complete.

When finished, Diamniadio will span 4,000 acres and feature an industrial park, state ministries entertainment facilities, and a university for around 30,000 students. The project will also provide a mix of luxury, middle-class, and affordable housing for around 350,000 residents.

In addition to reducing congestion, the development is part of a national strategy to promote economic growth. Although Senegal's economy is growing at around 6% annually, its public debt has risen to nearly 61% of its GDP.

Critics of the project worry that the $2 billion price tag will sink the country even further into debt. They're also skeptical of its motivation, with many drawing connections between the project's timing and the reelection campaign of current president Macky Sall. Others fear that the development will be unaffordable for most Senegalese residents.

Despite these concerns, the city is a masterpiece in urban planning. One of its principal projects, the Diamniadio Lake City (DLC), combines contemporary, abstract architecture with an homage to the nation's rich history and culture. Check out the design below.

DLC's design was inspired by the Senegalese culture and landscape. Its sharp curves and sloping lines mimic the amorphous patterns of algae in a nearby lake, as well as the silhouettes of traditional female sculptures.

To stay connected to the natural landscape, each structure is made with copper — an element found in the earth's crust. Other materials used during construction include glass, steel, and concrete panels, which coalesce to form a shimmering mosaic of buildings.

Senegal's most famous tree, the baobab, was a key source of inspiration for the project. Although they can live for 2,500 years, baobabs have been victims of climate change and rising global temperatures.

In addition to being highly accessible for pedestrians and those with disabilities, DLC is located just 15 minutes from the country's new Blaise Diagne international airport. When completed, it will house its own train station.

DLC's entertainment district features a mall (shown below), national library, and high-end residential housing.

It also includes a five-star hotel.

The city's "fashion walk" offers yet another space for pedestrians to shop, eat, and convene.

At night, the buildings bear a striking resemblance to the fictional city of Wakanda. Earlier this year, DLC buildings were mistakenly used in promotional material for Akon's Crypto City, a theoretical community modeled after the Black Panther metropolis.

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