South Korea is building a $35 billion city designed to eliminate the need for cars

Business Insider

Gale International

The International Business District (IBD) in Songdo, South Korea.

When residents of the International Business District (IBD) in Songdo, South Korea go to work, pick up their kids from school, or shop for groceries, driving is optional.

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That's because the $35 billion district - currently a work-in-progress about the size of downtown Boston - was designed to eliminate the need for cars.

A project that began in 2002, the area prioritizes mass transit, like buses, subways, and bikes, instead of road traffic, according to Stan Gale, the chairman of Gale International, the developer behind the IBD.

When completed by 2020, the district will span 100 million square feet.

Take a look at the IBD's plan below.