This photographic project sheds light on the profound impact of Mongolia’s rapid economic development, particularly in its capital, Ulaanbaatar (UB). Home to nearly half of the nation’s population (3.398 million), UB exists as a dual city: the formal “city of stone” and the informal “city of gher.” These two settlements operate within starkly different ecosystems, particularly concerning waste management services, and both are undergoing significant social and economic transformation. The series juxtaposes two contrasting realities: the semi-nomadic lifestyle of rural communities, characterized by resource reuse and sustainability, and the escalating challenges of waste mismanagement in UB’s peripheral areas. This dual narrative highlights the environmental and social paradoxes faced by a city balancing tradition and modernity. At a time when the world is striving for climate neutrality by 2050, this exhibition seeks to provoke reflection on the necessity of redefining policies and decision-making processes for managing environmental, social, and cultural resources. This project was developed as part of '3Rs for a sustainable use of natural resources in Ulaanbaatar' (3R4UB), funded by the European SWITCH-Asia program.