China's urbanisation wave may be creating future ghost towns 
China's push to increase urbanisation to boost its slowing economy has led to the creation of over 3,500 new residential and economic areas, raising concerns that many may become ghost towns. To fill these areas, China would require a 250% population increase, which most say is impossible, as its population is expected to peak in 2030, before declining to 1.6 billion in 2050.

Empty new commercial buildings in the Chinas Manhattan Project in Binhai New Area, Tianjin. Unrealistic expectations of growth have created ghost towns across the country and even within major cities. Photo: Imaginechina