UNITED KINGDOM
The largest ever planning application for Salford has been submitted. Designed by Glenn Howells Architects and Urban Initiatives, the plans aim to restore existing historic buildings, renovate existing surroundings and create new areas, including a modern commercial district. The 177,440 sqm scheme will create 864 homes, 390 hotel rooms and 197,000 sqm of offices. "The vision for the Central Salford is to regenerate this important area of the city, to help diversify its economic base and to bring in new activity," said Chris Farrow, chief executive of Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company.
DUBAI
The final cladding panel for the Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building, has been completed and is due to be installed in the next few weeks. The main materials used in the building’s cladding are reflective glazing, aluminium mullions and textured steel spandrels with vertical stainless steel tubular fins. The cladding is designed to accentuate the Burj Dubai's height, make it shimmer and look slender. The building, which stands 818m tall, will open three months late in December, according to local media reports.
IRELAND
A proposal by Dublin City Council architects to remove the loopline railway bridge in front of the Custom House has been dismissed by the Irish rail network and the council's planners. The bridge has long been considered one of the city's biggest eyesores because it blocks view of the Custom House, with proposals for its removal going back to 1922. Iarnrod Eireann, Ireland's rail network, is proposing a 15-storey office tower as part of a redevelopment of the station. According to a report from the council's architecture division, the most significant improvement Iarnrod Eireann could make in the area would be to remove the loopline bridge.
AFRICA
Kofi Asmah, developer and chairman of 21st Century Construction, has been working with Ghana officials and Westlake Village design company, Heathcote & Associates, to build 'Millennium City' - a development that would bring green technologies to the coastal African country. Millennium City will be built on approximately 725,000 sqm. The planning team envisions a self-sustaining green city complete with its own utility company, police department, transport system, airport and university. The project is expected to cost billions of dollars and take 15 to 20 years to complete.
USA
Investing in the energy efficiency of buildings could save the US economy $1.2 trillion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1.1 gigatons annually, according to a study released by McKinsey & Company. The study provides a detailed assessment of how much the nation can increase energy efficiency in buildings and other non-transportation sectors using existing methods and technologies initiatives with a projected outcome of a 23 per cent reduction in emissions by 2020. The report recommends a targeted investment of $50 billion a year over 10 years, generating 900,000 jobs.
