China’s Ghost Cities were Supposed to be a Disaster

Mon, 11 May 2026 07:34:36 +0000

⁣“China’s Ghost Cities” were Supposed to be a Disaster

Back in the 1990s, much of Shanghai’s skyline didn’t even exist. Critics called it a “ghost city” that would never fill up.

Today, it’s home to 25+ million people.

The strategy was simple:
• Build cities before demand arrives
• Prepare for mass rural-to-urban migration
• Move factories & government offices to new areas
• Use real estate as a status symbol and investment tool

In some cases, developers even offered buyers a SECOND apartment for free.

Shanghai transforming into the bustling, world-class hubs they are today.

Source: https://x.com/jamiemcintyre21/....status/2053031149015