Senegal has made it to the headlines for almost having completed the construction of its $2 billion futuristic city. Sources state that the city had been built to help reduce overcrowding and congestion in Dakar, Senegal’s capital city. In addition to plummeting congestion, the project is part of a Senegal’s national strategy to encourage economic growth.
Sources familiar with the development state that more than three million inhabitants reside in Dakar, due to which the city boasts of very high housing costs and evidently high unemployment levels. Incidentally, gridlocked roads, overcrowded minibuses, and herds of unemployed individuals lingering on roads is an everyday scenario in the capital city. The new $2 billion development would reportedly ease some of this pressure.
According to trusted sources, though the project obtained approval in 2013, the construction of Diamniadio is anticipated to be completed by 2035, and is planned to be located not more than 20 miles outside Dakar. Last year, Cheikh Kanté, the minister in charge of the project, stated that the futuristic city was nearly 80% complete.
After completion, Diamniadio will span across 4000 acres and encompass an industrial park, a university for about 30 thousand students, and entertainment facilities for state ministries, claim sources familiar with the development.
Although the country’s economy is growing at about 6% yearly, its public debt has shockingly climbed to nearly 61% of its GDP, claim sources.
According to trade analysts, the hefty $2 billion project will add a superfluous burden of debt on the country. Few others speculate that the multi-billion-dollar development will be unaffordable for a majority of Senegalese residents.
Despite these apprehensions, the city is a magnum opus in urban development, state trusted sources. Apparently, the Diamniadio Lake City (DLC), one of its chief projects, combines modern, abstract architecture accrediting the nation’s rich history and culture.
Reportedly, the project is anticipated to extend a blend of lavishness, middle-class, and economic housing for nearly 350,000 residents.