Seriously Dubai?

I posted earlier this year about NY's plans for a huge ferris wheel that would be the biggest in the world surpassing both Dallas's and London's. Apparently those oil sheiks in Dubai read the news as well since this happened: Dubai proposes Ferris wheel taller than planned Staten Island wheel; would be completed before NYC attraction.

That's cool and all Dubai, but it would be cooler if you stuck to creating new attractions instead of one-upping others. Whenever we get around to visiting Dubai, I'll want to visit Burj Khalifa, maybe the indoor skiing, but I've never been interest in the biggest or highest just for the sake of bragging rights. A ferris wheel on Coney Island sounds a lot more pleasurable to me than a wheel in Dubai, no matter how high it is.

New York City projects of interest

Some projects of interest currently underway in New York City:

1. Someone should tell Dallas to enjoy the country's largest ferris wheel while it lasts. NY is building one much bigger.

2. New York's High line is old news, but take a look if you're not familiar with the elevated rail turned park.

3. Estimated at over 17 billion, the Second Avenue Subway Project is still underway. Deep beneath the streets, workers freeze the ground to keep nearby buildings from collapse. [Pictures Here]

4. World Trade Center One is nearing completion with plans for a late 2013 or early 2014 finish date.

Tall buildings: Vanity and excess?

Why humans build what we build is a fascinating topic. Living in Philadelphia and now Dallas has allowed me to survey the buildings and structures in the area (Philadelphia building post here).

But, does it always make sense to build such large buildings?

China is in the midst of building the largest building in the world. To add to the boast, they're saying they can do it in three months. If it's a competition, the U.S. has, apparently, dropped out. The United States' largest building (Willis Tower) was built in 1974 and its third tallest, The Empire State Building, was built in the 30's. One World Trade Center has a higher antenna than Willis Tower, but a lower roof height and still won't compare to the highest buildings in the world. The Trump Tower in Chicago was set to be the highest tower in the world, but after 9/11, they backed off