Ulaanbaatar’s Ger District Issues: Changes and Attitudes
Class Year
2016
Document Type
Student Research Paper
Date of Creation
Spring 2015
Department 1
Center for Global Education
Abstract
Several of Ulaanbaatar’s current issues are directly related to Ulaanbaatar’s sprawling Ger District. The Ger District is home to approximately 736,000 residents, 61% of Ulaanbaatar’s population (Galimbyek, 2015). The significant growth in Ulaanbaatar is shown by its 52.8% of residents who were born outside of the city, the majority of migrants moving into the Ger District due to a lack of housing. (Chilkhaasuren & Baasankhuu, 2012). The development of Ulaanbaatar has not kept up with the rapid growth leading to inadequate infrastructure in much of the Ger District. In turn, inadequate infrastructure has lead to high pollution levels, negatively affecting public health.
In this research, I (1) identify the Ger District’s problems, (2) look at what change has been made and what change is planned to be made to reduce Ger District related problems, and (3) analyze the opinions of Ger District residents and urban area residents alike to find perceptions of the problems, and general attitude towards life in the Ger District. I did this by using literary sources, 11 interviews, 49 surveys and observations. The purpose of this research is to assess what change is happening to minimize Ger District related issues, especially pollution as it is linked to negative impacts on public health. Also, this research assesses the opinions of Ulaanbaatar residents regarding the Ger District to increase knowledge of what change is most accepted.
I found that a majority of Ulaanbaatar’s population is aware that problems associated to the Ger District do exist. This is important, as to inspire change, people must be aware of present issues. I also found that against what I had predicted, a large number of Ulaanbaatar residents, both those living in urban and ger areas would either like to or do like living in ger areas. A number of people stated that they would like to live in the Ger District with improved infrastructure. It is my hope that my results will give insight as to how change should be made.
This paper was written for the Mongolia: Geopolitics and the Environment program.
Recommended Citation
Engel, David G., "Ulaanbaatar’s Ger District Issues: Changes and Attitudes" (2015). Student Publications. 413.
https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/student_scholarship/413