Ulaanbaatar, July 24, 2024 /MONTSAME/. On the occasion of the 111th Anniversary of the Restoration of National Freedom and Independence, on December 29, 2022, President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa issued a Decree on the Restoration of the Ancient Capital of the Great Mongol Empire, Kharkhorum, giving directions to the Government of Mongolia.

Many countries run international open competitions when defining concepts for their newly planned cities to incorporate future development trends, urban planning expertise, and innovative ideas. Taking this international standard as a model, the Government of Mongolia issued Resolution No. 21 in 2024, to announce an International Competition for the New Kharkhorum City Concept on March 18, 2024.

Registration for the International Competition took place from March 18, 2024, to April 15, 2024, and the first round of selection concluded on July 16, 2024.

On July 24, 2024, Economic Policy Advisor to the President of Mongolia B. Davaadalai, Spokesperson to the President of Mongolia U. Zolbayar, and Head of the Investment and Cooperation Department of the Urban Planning Administration of New Kharkhorum City G. Darkhanchuluun provided information on the progress of the International Competition for the New Kharkhorum City Concept.

A total of 428 teams from 54 countries registered for the competition, with 76 teams submitting their work. The best works from 36 teams representing 18 countries qualified for the second round.

The Urban Planning Administration of The New Kharkhorum City announced that these works are ready to be presented to the public for feedback and proposal submissions.

The best works for the New Kharkhorum City concept are available to the public on the Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Kharkhorumcity) on July 25-31, 2024. The works are presented in various formats, including videos and photos, to collect public feedback.

On July 28-31, 2024, an International Exhibition of Urban Planning displaying the best works will be organized at the MPM Event Hall of Ulaanbaatar City, aiming at gathering proposals from the public.

Over 100 urban planners and leading architects from the 36 teams qualified for the second round will participate in the International Exhibition of Urban Planning to deliver speeches and presentations on their works. The final selection for the five best teams will take place on August 1, 2024.

The panel of judges for the International Competition for the New Kharkhorum City Concept was selected between April 22, 2024, and May 21, 2024. This distinguished panel includes leading urban planners and architects from the USA, South Korea, Poland, and Germany.

The purpose of the Decree on Restoring the Ancient Capital of the Great Mongol Empire, Kharkhorum, is to establish healthy and safe living conditions for citizens, enhance accessibility to essential social services, decentralize the population, ensure balanced regional development, promote the valuable heritage of the state, and restore its history and culture.

Following the Government Resolution, a total of 189,363.19 hectares of area in the Orkhon Valley in Arkhangai aimag and Uvurkhangai aimag have been taken under the special needs of the state for establishing New Kharkhorum City.

State administrative bodies of Mongolia, international organizations, and diplomatic missions in Mongolia are planned to be located in New Kharkhorum City. This smart city will be special for its advanced social services, healthcare, infrastructure, high-tech industry, housing, culture, art and tourism facilities, green spaces, and other amenities.