Songdo, Korea is a brand new city -- and an entirely green one.

Sitting at the edge of the Yellow Sea, the city is in a prime spot not far from Seoul, Korea’s international airport, and is merely a few hours by plane from China. The city is made up of roughly 1,500 acres funded by private ventures.

The idea is for Songdo to be “the newest financial and logistics hub for Northeast Asia.” These days, there's no better way to ensure financial strength than by building for energy efficiency.  

The US Green Building Council classifies New Songdo City (the city’s official name), as a LEED –ND (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Neighborhood Development), meant to create a community based on environmental conservation and stewardship. The city is setting examples worldwide in energy and water efficiency, indoor air quality, construction material consideration, and the construction and operation of green buildings including some breathtaking skyscrapers, not usually thought of as energy-efficient buildings.

A few of the city’s major features include: a green hospital, convention center, centralized park and other open spaces, several office buildings, garden homes, waterfront condos, and several educational facilities. Many residents will be able to walk to work or take transit. Shopping, entertainment and recreation are all close by, as well, creating a walkable city where cars are unnecessary.

The city is also building green in style. The homes, office buildings, and even the open space are designed for royalty. Some of the skyscrapers have been designed in such a way that they go head-to-head with Dubai’s famous optical illusionist structures. Landscaping adds a natural element juxtaposed against the many building structures. And 21st-century techies will appreciate that the city operates on wireless networks for businesses and personal use.

A defining feature of the city is its water collection system, which processes wastewater, extracting methane and converting the gas for power supplies.

Gale International and POSCO E&C are collaborating to build New Songdo City with $20 billion in investment funding. Many of the structures have been completed and others are just breaking ground, but the city is on schedule and is expected to be completed by 2020. The Songdo International Business District is also involved, leading the city’s way to LEED standard attainment.