Should Poor Countries Build New Capital Cities? (economy, education, money)

[jbgusa]

The following relatively poor countries and often recipients of international and/or U.N. aid have built new capital cities:

1. Brazil - Brasilia (replaced Rio de Janeiro)
2. Pakistan - Islamabad (replaced Rawalpindi)
3. Myanmar - Naypyidaw (replaced Yangon)
4. Tanzania - Dodoma (replaced Dar es Salaam)
5. Nigeria - Abuja (replaced Lagos)

It seems that these countries are desperately poor lands that do not have a new capital among the top of their needs lists. If I had to guess, these cities were built first so that the ruling classes would not have to put up with a teeming, crowded city such as Rio. Also, the cities, I believe, are major ego trips for the ruling classes.

To be fair, I am "equal opportunity" when it comes to building new capital cities. See Should New York City Have Remained U.S. Capital? However, the U.S. was receiving help from no one in those days, and federal resources were not expected to be used for social needs. Now it's a different story.

I think aid donors such as the U.N. and the U.S. should be very skeptical.

[JR_C]

It's certainly possible, or even likely, that ego and elitism are factors. But building a new city creates the need for a lot of architects, engineers, construction workers, and service workers to support them.

[good_deal_maker]

I consider there is some level of economic growth that makes the building of a new capital city right.

For example if the economic growth is lower 5,0 percent per year the country shouldn't build a new capital city. It is necessary to optimize economy, remove obstacles for business, spend money on medicine and education and road building.

If the economic growth is higher 5,0 percent per year...You can say "The citizens and the whole country worked hard. Now we can afford the building of the new capital. It will promote the economic development of the district N that has fine climate and rich nature supplies but is underpopulated now. The economic forecast shows that the profit will be more than state expenses in thirty years".

[jbgusa]

Originally Posted by JR_C

It's certainly possible, or even likely, that ego and elitism are factors. But building a new city creates the need for a lot of architects, engineers, construction workers, and service workers to support them.

The question is who pays for those. The money doesn't grow on trees.