Monaco: Trouble in Paradise
by Bonnie Alter, London on 05.22.08
In recent years HSH Prince Albert II has become an environmentalist with the creation of his Monaco Foundation for the Environment and his recent award as Europe's "Champion of the Earth" by the United Nations. However all is not well at home in Monaco... First there is a little matter about the Grand Prix Formula 1 car races being held there this weekend. But even more pressing, the tiny tax-free haven for the super rich is over-crowded and has run out of space. Perched on the side of a cliff, the second smallest country in the world after the Vatican is in need of more land to expand.
The answer is the creation of an island on stilts, jutting out from the coast. In addition to the luxury apartments, designer shops and yacht club, there will also be a museum, all designed by the super-star architects of the moment such as Norman Foster and IM Pei. But what about the flora and fauna, the marine environment and potential damage to the ecosystem. The Terre Bleu NGO says that the project risks damaging the coral reserves and sea plants along the coast. They said "If a new development is simply placed on top of the sea where these ecosystems are, they will be starved of the light that gives them life. That is very difficult to defend." The official response is that the new neighbourhood will be built over areas where "nothing remarkable" grows. "Not only will we protect the ecosystem but we will actually better the environment by putting in man-made reefs to allow species to thrive." This will be one to watch. :: The Guardian
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Why is the GP a problem?
I would design in some Solatubes to get light underneath the platform:
http://www.solatube.com/fr/
What may be commented about being unremarkable to some French officials isn't an acceptable answer.
As we are challenged to seek out new resources, areas we haven't yet discovered to have any value doesn't mean they have none.
Couldn't those poor, homeless rich Monaco people just buy land from France and redraw the border?
The GP is not the problem. It is only once a year and so insignificant in the scope of things why did you even mention it?
Beside the GP has over an 80 year history and benefits multiple economies.
How about all those richies drive their 1000 foot yachts to Dubai, they have lots of land, sea, and development projects they can quote invest in.
I live in Monaco, and the Formula One has an unnecessary impact. They make alot of buzz about the Annual Monaco Yacht show in September being carbon neutral. It is interesting that they dont even attempt carbon Neutrality with the Formula one. Every team, has their own catering and Hospitality stands which are huge, and each has at least one diesel generator the size of a transit van, running 24 hours a day, for the 5 days. not to mention the yachts or cars. I know it is once per year, but it is even more important, considering that Monaco is smaller than Hyde Park in London and has a microclimate due to its position.
Oh, and a few your comments all seem to associate wealth with indifference which isnt always the case. 90% of the visitors which fuel the formula one are are clearly very unwealthy petrol head hillbillies.