DUBAI
The Dubai metro has cost billions more than its projected $5 billion price-tag. Executive director of Dubai's road and transport authority, Mattar Al Tayer, was unable to say exactly how much has been spent on the metro, but did say that an exact figure would be released after the project's completion in 2010. He added that the cost increase was due to the fact that more than half of the project had changed is design and facilities since its commencement to cope with the growing needs of the city. The project team includes Kellog Brown & Root, Capita Symonds and Atkins. The metro is due to open on 9 September, when one branch, the red line, will become operational.
UNITED STATES
New York governor, David Paterson, has said that he would prefer to scale down the development of the World Trade Centre to limit the construction of skyscrapers until they are economically feasible. Paterson said he would prefer retail stores to be built and to generate revenue, and then once the property market recovers, offices can be built. His views could dovetail with proposals for the site by Westfield Group, who have offered to pay $1.6 billion to build a retail complex at the site. Property developer, Larry Silverstein, is tipped to oppose Westfield's proposal as they could refocus the site on the retail development rather than office towers.
GERMANY
The first signs of life for Germany's first entirely sustainable creative industrial corporate development are appearing. Comprising ten major structures, the Eco City Hamburg-Harburg (pictured) brings together large scale industry and creative start-ups, with the spaces ranging from studios to large warehouse and production facilities. Eco City, designed by Tec Architecture and Arup, is one of very few projects in the world designed to achieve a globally green rating from the three major green building rating programs in the world - LEED, BREEAM and DGNB. The development is expected to include wind turbines, solar water heating and 'green' roofs which serve to slow storm water runoff.
UNITED KINGDOM
Images have been released of the new network of roads and bridges throughout the Olympic Park site. The principle north/south bridge has been completed and is being used as the main access route for construction traffic. The Olympic Stadium site occupies an island to the park through five new bridges. The first 11m wide footbridge, spanning 41m across the River Lea, is nearing completion. A 16m wide bridge deck which forms the main route to Zaha Hadid's aquatic centre and was designed by Heneghan Peng, has been lifted into place by Europe's largest crane.
SPAIN
Foster + Partners has designed a new winery for the Faustino Group in the Ribera del Duero, 150 km north of Madrid. A road climbs to the roof of the building, enabling the harvested grapes to be poured straight down into the hopper, where the wine production process begins. The wings which house the barrels and bottle cellar are partly sunken below ground, providing the most favorable conditions for aging the wine, while the fermentation wing is exposed, allowing carbon dioxide to be released. "The material palette of oak, steel and glass relates to the production of wine, itself. Visible from one of the main arteries in the country that links Madrid to Bilbao; the winery will be a new symbol for the group, establishing their new brand, Bodegas Portia," Foster + Partners said.
