The spectacular growth of the United Arab Emirates within a generation shows that not only have Emiratis mastered the desert, they have bludgeoned it. The best example of man's supremacy over Arabian Peninsula's desert sand is the Burj Khalifa, which pierces the sky above Dubai.
Naturally travel to the UAE necessitates a visit to the Burj: just book in advance as the cost is about US$25 instead of the $100 you have to disgorge if you just show up unannounced at the ticket window at the Dubai Mall.
Burj Khalifa, Dubai (Leon Kaye)
After passing through the turnstile and a long walk that would make any man or woman feel like a discombobulated hamster, an elevator shoots you up 124 stories into the sky to the Burj Khalifa's observation deck, named, of course, At The Top. Nope, you will not get up to the 200th story, but nevertheless the view is impressive. Even when the view is not too clearest, the sights of the Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab and the world are impressive. I spent an hour transfixed at the sights, awed at the massive expanse of desert and of course, the development that has snaked along Sheikh Zayeed Road.
Whatever you think of the Burj Khalifa, you cannot deny that it is a masterful architectural feat. And with all the construction that is sprouting up along the Arabian Gulf coast, perhaps developing up is not so bad when you consider the other option, developing OUT. The Middle East's pinnacle, or actually the world's crowning achievement in architecture, stands tall, sneering down at anyone who sneers at the UAE's incredible accomplishments. The video I took from At The Top gives you a clue what the Burj reveals:
Leon Kaye is the founder and editor of GreenGoPost.com and its advisory division, GGP Media. Contact him to discuss how he can work with your organization or event.
His focus is making the business case for sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
He writes for San Francisco-based Triple Pundit, Inhabitat and now The Guardian, for which he writes about waste, water, and green building. He has also written for AIA's Architect Magazine.
Leon lives in Los Angeles, and when he has free time, he enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking, weightlifting, and planning his next trip to one of the 50+ countries he has visited. He has an MBA from USC's Marshall School of Business and is also a proud graduate of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) and Cal State-Fresno.
[...] seamlessly bring stability to a region rocked by the Arab Spring. Buildings like Burj al Arab and Burj Khalifa blow the mind in every corner and in every open space cause the jaw to drop. Malls that may be [...]
[...] rocked by the Arab Spring. Buildings like Burj al Arab (pictured above left, click to expand) and Burj Khalifa blow the mind in every corner and in every open space cause the jaw to drop. Malls that may be [...]
[...] are men–are the ones who are building and operating Dubai. Many of them build the roads, villas, skyscrapers and Dubai's massive underbelly of infrastructure that is dug deep into the desert sands. The hours [...]
[...] by Leon Kaye It is easy to focus on Dubai’s fabulous malls and architectural icons like the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab, but this young and brash city offers peace and culture as well. Just a few blocks [...]
[...] Business and Inhabitat. You can follow him on Twitter. He is still on the fence whether Dubai’s Burj Khalifa is a shining example of biomimicry.Photo courtesy University of Massachusetts Amherst. 0 [...]
[...] to get easier. You can follow Leon Kaye on Twitter. He is still on the fence whether Dubai’s Burj Khalifa is a shining example of biomimicry. Published earlier today on Triple Pundit. Photo courtesy [...]
[...] seamlessly bring stability to a region rocked by the Arab Spring. Buildings like Burj al Arab and Burj Khalifa blow the mind in every corner and in every open space cause the jaw to drop. Malls that may be [...]
[...] rocked by the Arab Spring. Buildings like Burj al Arab (pictured above left, click to expand) and Burj Khalifa blow the mind in every corner and in every open space cause the jaw to drop. Malls that may be [...]
[...] are men–are the ones who are building and operating Dubai. Many of them build the roads, villas, skyscrapers and Dubai's massive underbelly of infrastructure that is dug deep into the desert sands. The hours [...]
[...] by Leon Kaye It is easy to focus on Dubai’s fabulous malls and architectural icons like the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab, but this young and brash city offers peace and culture as well. Just a few blocks [...]
[...] Business and Inhabitat. You can follow him on Twitter. He is still on the fence whether Dubai’s Burj Khalifa is a shining example of biomimicry.Photo courtesy University of Massachusetts Amherst. 0 [...]
[...] to get easier. You can follow Leon Kaye on Twitter. He is still on the fence whether Dubai’s Burj Khalifa is a shining example of biomimicry. Published earlier today on Triple Pundit. Photo courtesy [...]