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The construction miracle of Male: How does a city thrive on small land?
Male, as the capital and most populous city of the Maldives, covers an area of only 8.30 square kilometers but has more than 210,000 residents, making it one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The city is located on the southern edge of North Male Atoll, an area facing formidable challenges. The architectural miracle of Male lies not only in its dramatic population growth, but also in how it developed a thriving urban environment in such a small space.
Male is the economic, cultural and political center of the Maldives, and almost all commercial activities revolve around this city.
Urban expansion and land reclamation
Male's development history goes back centuries, however, particularly in the past few decades, the implementation of land reclamation has contributed to the city's significant expansion. Male and its surrounding cities, such as Hulhumalé, Hulhulé, etc., are expanding the urban living space through government plans.
These expansion projects allow Male to accommodate a rising population and meet growing business needs.
Population and composition
Male’s residents mostly live in small houses and apartments, often sharing with family members or roommates, which largely contributes to the pressure on living space. According to 2022 data, there are approximately 27,000 Indian expatriates in Male, who mainly contribute to the city's construction, medical and education fields. Male''s diverse society has become an important driving force for urban development.
Male’s history and culture
The history of Male carries the cultural heritage of the Maldives. Early Maldivian society was governed by local chiefs until the arrival of Koimala, a prince from the Indian coast, which changed the local governance structure. Under his rule, Male built a castle and became the political and cultural center of the Maldives. According to historical documents, Male has undergone several major reconstruction and modernization processes. For example, in 1968, the old palace was demolished. The reconstruction of the city allowed Male to regain the appearance of a modern city.
Infrastructure development in Male
Male's infrastructure includes a dense network of roads connecting Male to Hulhulé and Hulhumalé islands. The recently opened Sinamalé Bridge connects Male to Hulhulé Island, further facilitating transportation. With the improvement of the public transportation system, residents of Male can travel to major important locations more efficiently.
The city's transportation system brings convenience to daily life and commercial activities, and promotes Male's economic development.
Male’s Economic Development: Tourism and Trade
As the core economic system of the Maldives, Male's economy relies on a sound tourism industry, which accounts for 28% of the gross domestic product (GDP). Male's port and commercial center gather most of the trade activities and attract many international investors. As the Maldives attracts more and more tourists, Male' plays an increasingly prominent role as the first stop for inbound tourism.
Looking forward to future development
Faced with the increasing urban size, Male City faces various social, economic and environmental challenges. The government is proposing further urban planning to better support future urban needs and promote sustainable urban development.
The future of Male lies in how to balance the precious resources of the land with the prosperity and development of the city, and urban planning will play a key role.
Conclusion
The miracle of the city of Male cannot be achieved by one policy or facility innovation alone, but is the result of the interaction of multiple factors. How does the capital of the Maldives face future development challenges and continue to thrive on this small land? It is worth pondering.
