The Afghan government wants to build an eco-town that will be home to three million people in the north of Kabul. The city, already baptized Deh Sabz, is being designed by the French firm Architecture Studio and will be financed by the Afghan government as well as independent developers. The project was born in response to the overpopulation problem faced by Kabul, where 80 per cent of the population lives in shantytowns, according to the firm. Ninety per cent of its energy needs will be provided by renewable energy sources.
Source: “Le gouvernement afghan étudie la construction d’une ville nouvelle écologique près de Kaboul,” Le Monde, Oct. 16.
“Baptized” is a poor choice of words, where “named” would have been true. “Deh Sabz” means “Green Village,” and has always had that name. Historically a district of beautiful orchards: Mulberrys, almonds, and pomogranates.