The only way is up for Japanese architects, Copenhagen tops sustainability ranking and plans dumped for creating shared space in UK.
JAPAN
Ryuichi Ashizawa Architects is building a vertical house on a 30 sqm site - all in the name of sustainability. Structural columns intertwine, supporting slabs on each floor, and soil is put on each slab for local plants. Fixed walls were avoided because they are seen as separating natural and human domains. Instead, traditional moveable Japanese walls are used and energy sources are produced by light, wind and rain.
SCANDINAVIA
A sustainability ranking of 30 major cities has been released in Copenhagen, with the host of the UN COP15 climate talks taking out the top spot. The study ranked cities across Europe relative to one another in eight categories including energy, transport, air quality and environmental governance. The top cities were Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Vienna and Amsterdam. The lowest ranking cities were Zagreb, Belgrade, Bucharest, Sophia and Kiev.
UNITED KINGDOM
Plans to make pedestrians, cyclists and motorist share the same space around Harrods, by merging roads and pavements, have been dumped. Instead, Kensington and Chelsea council will widen the pavement in Hans Road, giving pedestrians more space. Similar plans on Exhibition Road are facing legal action from The Guide Dogs, which claims it puts the lives of the visually impaired at risk because the plan involves the removal of kerbs.
UNITED STATES
The construction of Calatrava's Chicago Spire, North America's tallest tower, could be back on track with union boss, Tom Villanova, entering talks to loan $170 million to the developers Shelbourne Development Group. Construction, which commenced in 2007, was halted last year once the GFC set in. If Villanova's offer is accepted, the Spire will recommence construction as a full union project, creating work for 1,000 workers.
ISRAEL
Discussions are being held surrounding the transformation of the entrance of Jerusalem into a business and cultural hub, where all modes of transportation including buses, train, taxies and light rail, will connect. Plans involve replacing the buildings currently at the entrance of the city with more modern ones, but before building can commence, the architectural team will implement a prototype for the city's transportation that will all come together in one depot.
