it can be very expensive, carbon wise, to develop certain areas extensively. most of south america, south east asia, and the congo should just be left alone, for example, except for maybe some choice coastal cities.

china, north america along the mississippi, the indus and ganges, and the rhineland are probably the best places for human development. generally any area with big rivers and lots of plains in order to avoid cutting down forests.

and i fail to see how getting people to immigrate to the former imperial core wouldnt also be considered a redistribution of wealth, assuming all services are rendered equally