23 Apr. 2010With a steady stream of foreign investors arriving in Mongolie, and particularly in UB, following the recent Oyu Tolgoi mining agreement, many are beginning to think it's time to give the city a much-needed facelift.

There is a notably significant shortage of public parks—so much so that even in the height of summer, it's difficult to find even a small patch of greenery. Yet parks did exist in Mongolia's capital in the past, but they've gradually been covered over by apartment buildings and shopping centers. The impeccable sidewalks inherited from the Soviet era have since cracked and broken, leaving only heaps of stones and earth. In the end, we're left with a dreary, dusty image of the city—one that suggests independence was won at the cost of civil war.

Furthermore, a visitor or investor coming during winter will find themselves suffocating in a thick cloud of pollution belched from the ger districts on the city's periphery, compounded by exhaust fumes from endless lines of cars.

And should this same person need to walk anywhere—especially at night—they'll have to dodge potholes and avoid falling into open sewer grates. If they manage that, they'll likely have to repeat the ordeal, this time in near-total darkness, navigating one of the city's many poorly lit alleyways. After such an obstacle course, they may find it difficult to take the place seriously.

So what's the solution? Why not opt for a remedy to all these ills—something called a Monorail? A monorail line that would run down Peace Avenue, the city's main artery, before looping around the downtown center—that should do the trick.

Bombardier Transportation, a company constantly seeking new international opportunities for such projects, would be the natural choice to oversee this. They have already designed numerous impressive monorail systems around the world, complete with comfortable cars for the passengers' delight.

A monorail costs significantly less than an underground system, which would also be nearly impossible to implement given the current heating system and the hardness of the rocky ground beneath Mongolia's capital.

The only drawback compared to an underground system is that the monorail moves considerably more slowly. But UB isn't so large that a monorail wouldn't suffice to serve the city quickly enough. Moreover, this above-ground system would be an urban feature that would add a certain beauty and modernity to the city.

Operating costs are minimal, and while ticket prices would be modest, they would eventually recoup the investment.

It would resolve downtown parking issues. It would help reduce traffic and congestion, bringing a significant drop in pollution. It would also decrease pedestrian foot traffic, as people opt for a faster way to reach their destinations. With sidewalks cleared, the city would appear more aesthetically pleasing. And it would provide a safe, well-lit, and economical transport option for the many pedestrians who currently must contend with rocky, frozen, and poorly lit walkways.

The city, thus transformed, would project a far better image to future foreign investors. They would then seize every opportunity rather than miss the boat.Charlène NomadaysEarly SEO writer at Nomadays and now content manager and head of communications, Charlène has accompanied the adventure from the beginning with passion and loyalty. After spending seven years across Asia—from China to Thailand, passing through Mongolie and South Korea—she has made travel a way of being in the world. A lover of words, nature, and human connection, she is devoted to conveying in her writing a thoughtful, committed, and responsible vision of tourism. For her, each article is a bridge between curiosity, respect, and wonder.