Dubai Jumps the Shark
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto 
on 01.28.08
We have covered the incredible construction boom in Dubai before, wondering where the energy will come from that will keep it cool and keep its inhabitants flying in and out. While neighbour Abu Dhabi is building a carbon free city with decent architects, the designers of Falcon City think that urban planning means that you design your city to look like a falcon from the air.
And in case you are homesick, it has an Eiffel Tower, a pyramid, a Taj Mahal and a Great Wall of China.
Dubai Eiffel Tower would hold the central location of the falcon commercial sector which hosts commercial, residential, recreational and retail elements. The tower surrounding represents Falcon Elysees.
'The pyramid of the Falconcity emulates the Egyptian architectural wonder in a modern day context. The Grand Pyramid will be a multi functional complex housing residences, offices and other recreational avenues. It is the biggest pyramid in the world.
Of the two smaller pyramids, one will host exclusively Falconcity management facility, while the other is a commercial premise in the theme park. With ultra modern facilities of luxury and convenience, the pyramids will attract all enthusiasts of fine living, shopping and fun.'
"Dubai Hanging Gardens of Babylon in Falconcity brings to life a lost ancient wonder. This imaginatively designed complex will house eco-friendly luxury flats, with many open-air restaurants and coffee shops, with the garden overlooking the falconcity Mall."
The Villas come in Andalusian, New World, Aegean or Santa Fe style, all set on the wings of the Falcon.
When we last wrote about Dubai a commenter noted that "Dubai is building all this stuff because they KNOW oil is not the energy source of the future. They're focusing on tourism, banking, and dropping taxes to lure investors and residents alike, among other forward-thinking moves. There is also an extensive subway project begun, with a 2010 completion date." (and then called me an idiot and said "Get your facts straight before you open your mouths" but that seems to be par for the course these days)
If that is the case, why are they building such incredibly silly energy hogs? ::Falcon city of Wonders
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Have you ever seen anything so hideous!
yes, it is called las vegas,
when does the air conditioned dome go on?
thats an unfortunate place to put an Eiffel tower. what a world. its a grownup Disney land
Wait until the water runs short. Empty nesters all.
Anonymous LOL!! Vegas, with less taste and more $$$
This is the city that the Emir showed to Bush during his recent visit to the Middle East. He looked at the press corp and said: "amazing, isn't it".
Man; you know you are in trouble when your oil pimp is greener than you!!!!
Wait until the oil runs short. I'll bet that this place is powered by oil, given that this is an oil-rich country.
Wow, to be honest this is pretty awesome...
Obligatory futurama quote:
That place so rocks! I'd love to see it. This kind of project really gives the finger to miserablist elitists and their eternal droning predictions of inevitable doom.
A glass pyramid in the dessert. Imagine the energy required to cool that to a liveable temperature.
Anonymous, your taste is in your mouth. But I'm sure you hear that often.
Actually, "elitists" don't ever do anything other than encourage the status quo, simply in order to maintain wasteful practices that enrich a small group at the expense of all other life forms on the planet. This isn't a great long term plan, EDITED FOR PERSONAL ATTACKS
I don't think that the energy needed for the project should be an issue. As far as I'am aware a state such as Dubai has a very small carbon foot print on the plant as it is. The UAE has also ratifed Kyoto, so I doubt they will go over there agreed CO2 limits. I dont think that one state should limit economic success based on environmental issues that other states have caused and abused.
I don't think that the energy needed for the project should be an issue. As far as I'am aware a state such as Dubai has a very small carbon foot print on the plant as it is. The UAE has also ratifed Kyoto, so I doubt they will go over there agreed CO2 limits. I dont think that one state should limit economic success based on environmental issues that other states have caused and abused.
Rich fools playing with money.
It must be nice to be that rich and not care about your or your children's existence on Earth.
Enough energy, wasteful living, 6.5 Billion humans - Pick two, drop the third.
Karsten
--
http://www.polluteless.com
Practical Advice to Pollute Less
As has been noted elsewhere, Dubai will deplete it's oil in a couple of years, so they are building a turist and financial flytrap.
Still, I don't see how this is sustainable or having a low carbon footprint. Wind? Solar? Hydro? Imported oil that also pollutes? Anyone?
On the other hand, designwise I would have wanted to see something of an evolution of desert architecture. It'd be more appealing to the modern, enviromentally concious traveler which in the end could be the one who could finance all of this...stuff.
Stuff is alright, but let's think a little farther on the road, it will wear us down.
Funny thing is, the fool who called you an idiot for writing about your concerns for Dubai, has obviously not been there. I have.
He is right about their reasons for creating the mirage. However all their potable water comes from desalination and is very expensive, both economically and environmentally . The standard of construction is in the most part pretty shoddy which does not result in particularly energy efficient buildings. When you are trying to cool such enormous structures in that incredible heat you need LOTS of energy. Where they are going to pick up problems when the fuel runs out, is when they need to provide the people with food. In addition the whole plan relies on foreign visitors to keep it alive. No matter which way you look at it when the fuel dries up there are just not going to be enough people able to make the trip even if they wanted to. With temperatures rising it is going to become even more inhospitable. They should rather have used the vast resources they are squandering, to uplift some developing nation in return for providing a home for the Dubai people when the fuel dries up.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: January 18, 2008
DUBAI - The United Arab Emirates plans to start building a multi-billion-dollar green city in the desert in the first quarter of this year, as the oil producer looks to become a pioneer of alternative energy.
http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=46484&newsdate=18-Jan-2008
This a Reuters article posted on the 18th Jan, this wouldn't happen to be the same 'carbon zero' city they are talking about, is it?
Syrus: The UAE has ratified Kyoto, yes. But they aren't listed in Annex I, which means they do not have any emission reduction targets.
when I look at this, all I see is references to Nazi imagery & anti-semitism.
Am I the only one that sees that?
In case anyone wonders how far the UAE has to go before being anything like carbon-neutral have a look at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_carbon_dioxide_emissions_per_capita
Hey, they are only the third most carbon-hogging country on the planet per capita.
/ Colm
best luck for Dubai people and I hope the be richeset people in the world because they are kind any way thanks alot
Crap- that is scary!!!
I LIVE IN DUBAI. And I will admit that we are trying to boost our real estate properties so that when the oil dries up, we have something to fall back on.
Rest easy, people. Dubai is also following up on eco-friendly trends. We have recycling centers, we have clean-up drives and most clothing shops sell eco-friendly clothing. Point is, we are doing our part on helping the environment as well.
Give us, the people of Dubai, time to catch up. We all live in the same planet; we want to help too :D
Akoz: Thanks, I was not aware of the Annex 1. Is it that they don't have reduction targets because they haven't agreed to any or because their emmisions are not significant enough?
What is the accepted co2 emission level for a country? and should there be one give carbon neutrality is possible?
This is going to be a frustrating topic!
Ha! We have an unlimited supply of everything. You people are stupid!
Honestly, you can all talk about how this city will suck energy and oil, and about how "hideous" and "unfortunate" it is...but let's take a step back here.
Look at what mankind can do! Forget all the environmental issues for a little, won't you? Look at what humanity will have accomplished! I think that this city is absolutely amazing. I will visit it before I'm dead, I know that much. Stop trying to look for how evil something is (if it's in Dubai, it's evil!), and start looking at the good! Some of you guys must have miserable lives.
my husband just went to dubai for work, i wanted to go with him so bad. i've heard it's awesome, but when my hubby got back he said it was too hot, to dusty, and way to over done, he said he doesn't care to ever return. he'd rather go to vegas, at least people there know that its all a show.
Disgusting.
who care about the energy it is beautiful.
who care about the energy it is beautiful.
Wasteful and very, very tacky-but that describes the ultra-rich perfectly.