dystopian photographs of songdo by manuel alvarez diestro

dystopian photographs of songdo by manuel alvarez diestro
image © manuel alvarez diestro
all images courtesy of manuel alvarez diestro

resembling a post-apocalyptic landscape, these photographs by manuel alvarez diestro, portray a dystopian view of a new city in its final stages of construction. one of the latest cities to be built in the east, songdo is located 40 miles southwest of seoul, south korea and has been popularly advertised as the new asian ‘aerotropolis’. this idealistic vision is a stark contrast to the images depicted here. built on reclaimed land, the new development is connected to incheon international airport via an extension bridge occupying 1500 acres – the project is considered to be one of the most expensive of its kind. manuel walked for several days around songdo’s borders, where he discovered new ecosystems emerging within the grid plan. these surreal images show songdo in a state of disrepair highlighting the juxtaposition between the large towers of the built environment, and the unruly landscape that surrounds it. empty wastelands and left over construction sites show signs of decay as nature attempts to invade the dystopic atmosphere.

songdo is located 40 miles southwest of seoul, south korea and is deemed to be a new vibrant city
image © manuel alvarez diestro

the new city has been constructed on reclaimed land
image © manuel alvarez diestro

manuel alvarez diestro discovered left over construction sites and empty wastelands
image © manuel alvarez diestro

nature attempts to invade the dystopic urban environment
image © manuel alvarez diestro

surreal images show the new city of songdo in a state of disrepair
image © manuel alvarez diestro

stark contrasts between the built environment and the unruly landscape that surrounds it
image © manuel alvarez diestro

manuel walked around songdo’s borders, where he discovered new ecosystems emerging
image © manuel alvarez diestro

overgrown grass in the landscape of songdo
image © manuel alvarez diestro

rubble, unruly landscaping and a new city beyond
image © manuel alvarez diestro

the new development is already showing signs of decay
image © manuel alvarez diestro

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