Cities That Were Completely Relocated for Mind-Blowing Reasons

7. The Birth of Canberra: A Capital Without Rivalry

In 1911, the Australian government decided to move its capital from Melbourne to a purpose-built city, Canberra, to resolve a rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne. The relocation involved constructing a new city from scratch, designed by American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. Canberra’s creation exemplifies how strategic relocation can foster national unity and reflect a nation’s aspirations. The city’s design, with its emphasis on green spaces and symmetry, embodies the ideals of the Garden City movement, blending urban living with nature.