For a nomadic people, the simple idea to have a
capital city is not obvious. It used to be just a particularly
important concentration of yurts (ger in Mongol). But the capital
city settled where it is today at the end of the 18th century, at the
crossings of 2 important rivers, even if one of them is now more a stream.
Since then buildings have begun to be built even if
many people still live in ger just out of the central business
district (both poor people and tourists who want to live the
experience).
The name of the city means “red hero” and is a
tribute to Sükhbataar (Sükh this hero) who in 1921 lead a
revolution against the Chinese ruling to get on the side of the USSR.
There are of course many remaining of the Russian domination who last
until 1991 in UB. Sükhbataar square is very Stalinian in its style.
But also lots of symbol everywhere.
There is now more than 1 million inhabitants in the
city and it keeps on increasing, not because of natality but a
massive rural exodus. This cause major problems since the housing
market is completely saturated and ger slums without access to water
or sanitarian infrastructures are growing.
As much as the human problem for these people, this
cause also major pollution issues. To resist to the -30°C
temperatures of the winter, people burn coal. The city is surrounded
by hills, which keep the air and cause the city the most polluted in the world.
This contrast with the new wealth of many people of
the mining sector who create more and more new “fancy” buildings
both for business and for leaving.
And still more to come!
 |
| Construction of a new area in the south |
The American school
Buddha statute
And even an Eifel Tower which is twinkling at night
This week are held the parliamentary elections.
I would tell you about that next time
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