Is Dubai an “impossible place”?

Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has seen a massive boom in construction and investment since the 1990s. Many major projects have been built here, creating impressive landmarks, but there are some questions over whether Dubai is viable in the long term, as  there is limited oil money and much of the rest of the growth is funded by debt…..

The world’s tallest building is under construction in Dubai:

http://www.burjdubai.com/

Update from 2007:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6910536.stm

Update from 2009:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7798943.stm

In June 2008 there were plans for a rotating skyscraper:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7472722.stm

In November 2009, markets were rocked when Dubai revealed that it may not be able to service its debt:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8382103.stm

Could sewage bring a sticky end to Dubai’s miracle expansion?

The city state of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, has experienced incredibly rapid growth in past decades. The infrastructure of Dubai, including the sewage system must also be improved to cope with the increased demand on these services, but will it happen in time?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7663883.stm

What will the future of housing in the UK be?

What are the different ways of life that people live in the UK and how will they change in the future? The answer is partly controlled by the way that housing issues are being tackled today:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk/2006/housing/default.stm

Will selling homes for 1 Euro help to regenerate Sicily?

The mayor of one depopulating town in Sicily is offering houses for 1 Euro to try to stop them from crumbling. Whilst he may protect the town in the short term, what might the long term issues be?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7596341.stm

Can Eco Towns deliver a sustainable future?

The concept of Eco Towns is relatively new. Find out all about them and some proposed problems they may have associated with them here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7569801.stm

What is the future for the slums of Mumbai?

There are plans to improve the slums of Mumbai in India, but how will they affect the thriving small scale recycling plants that operate there?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7354977.stm

How has industry in South Wales changed?

This link will take you to a great clip which explains the underlying reasons for industrial growth and change in South Wales:

http://blip.tv/file/313593/

 

Vigilantes in Brazil’s shanty towns: are they a help or a hindrance?

Former policemen are setting themselves up as militiamen in Rio’s favelas to protect the people, but at what cost?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7283640.stm

Are we an urban species?

As more and more people live in towns and cities, what impact does this have on societies and the places where those cities grow?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/world/2006/urbanisation/default.stm

Many geographers calcualte than over half the world’s population will live in urban areas by the end of 2008:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/03/080313-cities.html

What is life in Kroo Bay Slum, Sierra Leone?

Life in Kroo Bay Slum in Freetown, Sierra Leone is difficult. The country is still emerging from the war which did so much damage.

Save the Children are working in Kroo Bay and have set up a very informative website to explain what life is like there:

http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/kroobay/index.php 

This link tells the story of a doctor who works in the slum:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7247615.stm