. . . includes a perfectly square grid, surrounded by a moat (from the NY Times article). Need I say more? In its isolation, this ‘urban block’ (ha) will only attract the global elite. But maybe this is Dubai’s fuction. It hasn’t yet been defined, but even so, those that work in services still need somewhere to live. And that type of social density is born over time, not created through a single, grandiose architectural vision. However, that being said, his version might induce less whiplash than what is currently on slate for construction. In response to his research on the ‘generic city’ (here’s a student thesis project on the topic), OMA’s plan makes a point to include both generic, similarly massed towers that are juxtaposed with moments of pure gluttony.
One thing I agree with for certain:
’We always have to keep up a high alertness around a problem until it becomes more clear.’
-Koolhaas in his office, 2006.
Rem Koolhaas, Al Manakh, the 2007 edition is described as the first comprehensive guide to architecture and urban design in the The Gulf.
From the developer’s webpage:
Waterfront will transform an unprecedented 1.4 billion square feet of empty desert and sea into an international community for an estimated population of 1.5 million people that is twice the size of Hong Kong Island. Waterfront is being developed on the last 15km of natural coastline in Dubai. This mixed-use development of commercial, residential, resort and amenity areas offering 250 master-planned communities . . . will help Dubai in setting the standards in property development.
Thats for sure. Does anything about that insta-mega polis just absolutely terrify you? Or am I just the wimp . . . ?
