UNITED KINGDOM
The future of large Transport for London projects, including the $1.3 billion upgrade of Victorian underground station, is in doubt, due to a funding crisis. Despite the fact that there has been no mention of the $31 billion scheme being in jeopardy, Transport for London has now secured a $2 billion loan from the European Investment Bank to help it finance Crossrail. Cost-saving initiatives were announced after the collapse of the Metronet tube consortium in 2007, and in June, 1,000 job cuts were announced, along with the postponement of 50 station upgrades.
MADRID
The telephone booths that line the streets of Madrid have become obsolete with the rise of mobile phones. However, the government is thinking outside the square and planning to use the booths as charging stations for Spain's electric car revolution. Approximately 30 booths have been set aside as part of a test network of 546 recharging points in Madrid, Barcelona and Seville. The booths will be easy to adapt because they are located close to the curb and already have their own electricity supply.
UNITED STATES
Jean Nouvel's proposed tower for Hines Interests was supposed to become the second tallest building in Midtown, but the City Planning Commission has decided to take 61m off the top of the building. "The applicant has not made a convincing argument that the building's top 200 feet be worthy of the zone in which it would rise," said commission chairwoman, Amanda Burden. The building was approved at a modified height of 320m by a vote of 9-0. During a public hearing in July, Hines dismissed neighbours' concerns that the building would impact on traffic and create shadows in the area by stating that it would be a strong addition to Midtown and the city.
ITALY
One of Italy's most renowned architects, Mario Cucinella, has said the situation for architects in the country has become so dire that he is asking the leaders of Britain, France, Russia and other G8 nations for political asylum. In an open letter published in Italian design magazine, L'Arca, Cucinella said that he wants to continue his work as an architect but this cannot be done in his home country, where "the political class is much more interested in the culture of the contractor and consultant engineering firms." He has support from other Italian architects as well. Massimiliano Fuksas, who works mainly in France, said "Italy is a country in which public administration and bureaucracy are very bad. The single biggest problem facing architects in Italy today is the lack of certainty."
