New Clark City is being built from scratch to withstand extreme weather. Will it be a beacon of hope or a greenwashed illusion?

Yet the Philippine project has challenges of its own, and some of its biggest promises may not fully materialize. There are questions about its ability to withstand a climate catastrophe, for example, and about how many people will want, or be able, to move there.

But what troubles some critics most is New Clark City seems to prioritize the desires of a few over the needs of many. It stands on land taken without consent or compensation from the Indigenous Ayta people, and a dearth of affordable housing risks creating a haven for elites rather than a place where all can enjoy the benefits of the country’s growing economy.

New Clark City also may not be as green as promised. Just 30 percent of its energy is slated to come from renewable sources.