Chukyo

Celestial City
City
Clockwise from top: Guardian Park, Athena Maglev Terminal, Financial District, and the Imperial Parliamentary Complex.
Country	Imperial Union of Gaia
Province	Central Province*
District	Imperial Capital Region
Government
- Governor-Viceroy	Mina de Gaia
- Mayor	George Wong
Events
- Formation
Population
- City	3,887,006
- Metro	6,500,000 (Estimate)
- Rank	1st, Gaia
Demonym	Celestial
geoTLD	.cc.gaia
*Celestial City is located within Central Province, but is not considered part of it.

Celestial City is the capital of the Imperial Union of Gaia. The city is the largest city in the country and is home to the Gaian government and the Imperial Family. The city was built during the Expansion Era, after the passing of the National Capital Act. As part of the Act, the city is exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Government and is not part of any province. It also became one of the world's largest construction projects and the world's largest planned city as a result. Celestial City has approximately 3 million inhabitants, making it one of the most populous cities in the country.

Celestial City is home to the Imperial Parliament as well as many branches of the Imperial government. The Imperial Parliamentary Complex houses both houses of the Imperial Parliament, the Senate and the Imperial Assembly. The city also hosts foreign embassies and the headquarters of numerous corporations, and organizations. The government district is situated on the southern end of the city, on reclaimed land from Celestial Bay. Guardian Park is the central boulevard and park space that runs through the center of the government district. Bylaws restricting tall buildings are in effect for the government district and its surrounding areas. The Imperial Parliamentary Complex sits at the northern end of Guardian Park, where a canal separates the government district from the rest of the city. At the southern end of Guardian Park, facing Celestial Bay, is the residence of the Imperial Family.

Aside from being a major center of government, Celestial City is home to various corporations and is known for its great shopping atmosphere. One of the country's largest shopping centres is situated in the city. Athena Mall, which bares the name of the country's leading software and electronics manufacturer, has thousands of shops many of which sell electronics. The mall is also a major transit hub for the city as it intersects many rapid transit lines, and rail lines. The mall also serves as a dividing point between the densely built up downtown area and the rest of the city.

History

The city was built during the Expansion Era as part of the National Capital Act, which mandated the construction of a new capital for the country. After the signing of the Sora Agreement, the new government was tasked with finding a suitable site for the country's new capital. After months of surveying the regions east of Sora, the Gaian Colonial Authority submitted a list of suitable sites for the new capital to the Emperor and his government. The site on the northwestern shores of Aounabara Bay was eventually chosen. The name "Celestial City" was eventually chosen for the name of the new capital, after long meetings between various government officials and the Emperor.

On March 16th, 3022, the city was officially founded and construction began shortly afterwards. Groundwork for the construction of the city began with the clearing of approximately 25km² of land adjacent to Aounabara Bay. By mid-November the highway linking Celestial City and Sora was complete.

The government appointed David Powell, a renowned architect and civil engineer who helped design many of Sora's key buildings, as chief city planner for Celestial City. He devised an ambitious plan which would result in the city becoming one of the world's largest planned cities. The plan called for the establishment of a grid-like city blocks with wide avenues and boulevards separating each city block, and grand monuments and plazas along the main boulevard, which began at the proposed site of the Imperial Parliamentary Complex. By 3024, the Imperial Parliamentary Complex was complete and the city's grid-like city blocks were established. The area southwest of the original Imperial Parliamentary Complex would be later reclaimed from Aounabara Bay, for the construction of the Government Ward. By 3030, the "core areas" of the city are completed and the seat of government officially moved from Sora to Celestial City.

Expansion

By the 3050's the city had grown to nearly double its previous size, with the population steady rising as the city and national government expanded services and approved of new infrastructure projects.

Geography

Celestial City is situated on the northwestern end of Aounabara Bay.

Cityscape

Hokari District

The architecture in Celestial City is largely influenced by the architects and city planners of the New Era and by the Imperial Family. As a planned city, all new buildings within the city boundaries must be approved by a committee of city planners and the Governor-Viceroy. Various city bylaws prevent buildings from reaching certain heights in certain districts within the city. As a result, many of the country's tallest buildings are located in other cities. Buildings located near the Government Ward of the city are under the greatest scrutiny.

Much of the cityscape today is the result of the mass urban renewal projects of the New Era, which saw the city evolve into the beautiful sprawling metropolis of today. From the construction of wide boulevards to the creation of many city parks, numerous city beautification programs throughout the history of the city have contributed to the city's beauty.

The Imperial Parliamentary Complex

Guardian Park with government buildings in the background.

Athena Mall.jpg

Athena Mall

Athena Station.jpg

Athena Station, one of the busiest transit terminals in the city.

Climate

The climate in Celestial City is fairly mild and predictable. Summers are generally warm, while winters are generally cold and snowy. The city receives a fair amount of precipitation during spring, autumn and winter months.

Economy

A significant percentage of Celestial City's inhabitants are employed by the Gaian government and corporations headquartered in the city. Residents of Celestial City enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the country and the lowest unemployment rates. The city is also an important business and financial hub, generating a fairly percentage of the country's GDP compared to other cities.

Tourism is a large contributor to the city's economy. Approximately 70% of tourists who enter the country, visit the city. Entertainment districts within the city, such as Hokari District, attract a large portion of tourists. The city is currently the focus of the country's latest tourism promotion campaign, "Go Gaia".

Government

Under the National Capital Act, Celestial City receives special oversight from the national government. It is the only city in the entire country with a Governor-Viceroy, who is appointed by the Empress. The Governor-Viceroy is not involved directly in the administrative affairs of the city, but is responsible for approving bylaws and projects within the city boundaries. The administrative head of the city is the mayor. Mayors are elected by the residents of the city, and are responsible for the daily operations of the city.

Sister cities

In 3537, Celestial City became the first city in the country to enter international sister cities arrangements.

•  Auronopolis, Romaion Empire (3537)