Come 2010 and the construction work for the world’s longest marine causeway that connects Qatar and Bahrain will begin. The 40km long marine causeway will feature a 22km bridge and 18km embankments. It will also have a 13 meter wide railroad bridge.

At present the travel time from Qatar to Bahrain takes four-and-a-half hours by car. This is expected to come down to just about half an hour approximately. This is a very convenient way of saving a lot of travel time especially for those who keep travelling to and from Qatar-Bahrain regularly. However, the traffic volume on the causeway is expected to be around 10,000 to 12,000 vehicles a day. The entire project is estimated to cost a humongous amount of $3 billion. As of now, Bahrain and Qatar have allocated a budget of $500 million to start the project.

Apparently, KBR, an engineering company, which is head-quartered in Houston, Texas, has been approached for the project to provide design, project and construction management services. The project is likely to take about four and a half years to complete. It’s not too long for constructing the longest marine causeway.

Via: Reddit/MENAinfra

Obesity and diabetes are raging concerns in the oil-rich Gulf monarchies. A combination of diet with too many calories and sedentary lifestyle has brought about the disturbing reality. Authorities have come to realize the gravity of the situation and are now increasing awareness in the hope of appeasing the taste for foods high in calories served in restaurant chains that have proliferated in the region.

Young people are also encouraged to get into sports. In malls where people spend much of their free time in these countries, facilities for diabetes detection have been put up.

According to recent official statistics, 70 percent of adults and 12 percent of children in the UAE are overweight. A fifth of these overweight children are at risk of becoming diabetic. Of the six Gulf monarchies, Emirates is the country most affected. Statistical data from 2005 showed that 19.6 percent of the population suffered from diabetes, the second highest rate in the world. In fact, official statistics predict that if nothing is done to prevent this, the proportion of people in the country that will have diabetes by 2025 is 28 percent.

The remaining countries of the region are not far behind. In Qatar, 15 percent of the population has diabetes. In Bahrain, 14.3 percent are diabetes sufferers. The corresponding figure in Oman is 13 percent. In Saudi Arabia, 25 percent of those over 30 years of age have the disease.

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Via Gulf Daily News/HubPages

Green Architecture is the direction towards which every architect and designer is heading and it is no surprise that many of the modern cities of the world are now becoming sandboxes for these green architects to experiment and express themselves. Eco-friendly construction is reaching new heights that are in fact becoming structures far more attractive and ergonomic compared to the traditional form of construction. Here is a collection of 10 such skyscrapers that r\are defying convention and defining green norms. From the marvelous to the incredulous, from the crazy to the sensational; they sport it all…

1. MAD Green Creation with Webstar:

MAD is a design firm that often lives up to its acronym and there creations are often perceived as green architecture that is a touch eccentric. But the design of Webstar is really a revolutionary concept for future green cities. This giant floating star can camp above any city in the world and can house a perfect green city of 15,000 people. With its own ability to produce power, utilize resources by recycling them and even a digital cemetery, the Webstar seems too good and green to be real. Simple sensational indeed!

2. Rotating Wind Towers of Dubai:

By now everyone in the world and even beyond knows about the spectacular wind-powered rotating skyscraper designed by Dr. David Fisher. The structure twirls around and uses wind and solar energy to produce power that is sufficient to power another 5 skyscrapers along with power to supports its own residents’ energy needs. This is almost like a giant swiveling structure on a beam at center. To say that this is amazing would be an understatement.

3. Sky Village by MVRDV Architects:

This new and unique structure is a model that can be considered as a blueprint for many eco-structures in the future. Created to perfection by MVRDV Architects, it takes the shape of many blocks called ‘pixels’ being put together like green hubs. The best part of the design is that the building can expand strategically without occupying too much space at the base. Green parks put up in the sky, a concept that could do great for every edifice in future.

4. Precinct 4 by Putrajaya Waterfront:

The Precinct 4 Project by Putrajaya Waterfront in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is more like a city of delightful eco-friendly structures that stand like beacons of green architecture and amazing design. The design is special with green features like terraces, sunshades, natural ventilation and integrated green space and amazing architectural splendor inspired by marine life.

5. Fog Tower:

There is no green structure that in sheer concepts stands singularly alone as this Fog Tower does on the edge of the Atacama Desert. While just a concept for now, this gigantic tower in pristine while aims to harvest land that is barren in the desert by tapping into the fog on the land. The giant screw design progressively collects and condenses fog into water and supplies it down for irrigation. Alberto Fernandez and Susana Ortega have designed a magical white-green tower!

6. Fusionopolis:

Fusionopolis will be Singapore’s most eco-friendly building, what makes it so green is a vertical spine of planting that rises up through the 15-storey building. The building overcomes with its design the challenges that come with growing a fabulous green landscape at that level along with water and irrigation issues. The structure that is to take shape in Singapore will add a new green tinge to the already fabulous skyline of the city.

7. Sinosteel International Plaza:

Once again a project that is designed by MAD Architects, the Sinosteel International Plaza is a project that is far more real, yet as green as the Webstar created by the same designers. The design is modern, eccentric and still green with ample ventilation and sustainable features that are integrated fashionably into the design and form. Construction is underway in Tinajin, China and its impeccable design makes sure that there is no extra energy wasted on insulation.

8. Carbon Neutral Pyramid of Dubai:

A merger in architecture of Ancient Egyptian pyramids and Middle Eastern ziggurats along with modern green features makes these Carbon Neutral Pyramids that are to take shape in Dubai, one of the best green structures in the world. The pyramid shaped structures run on solar power and are completely carbon neutral. They can sustain an entire community of a million people in them and all with nothing but green energy! If the prototype works, then they could well be the cities of the future.

9. Bahrain World Trade Center with Integrated Turbines:

Being the world’s first skyscraper to go for integrated wind turbines, the Bahrain World Trade Center makes on to the list for being the pioneer in green technology and energy. The integrated giant turbines are expected to generate 11 to 15 percent of the whole structure’s power. The three 29m-diameter turbine blades on Bahrain’s iconic landmark are expected to operate approximately 50% of the time. One must never forget the roots of the revolution and for green architecture, this was a big beginning.

10. Municipal Pool Cover Soto del Real in Madrid:

This giant Carbon Neutral green-structure was built in the heart of Madrid to give a sustainable ecosystem to the growing urban community. Designed by Lorenzo Alonso Architects, this green facility is filled with plants and acts as a community center as it purifies air and provides meeting space.

Green architecture is about the judicious blend of form with function and hopefully we have done the same with our list of ten. Every one has a different favorite, but irrespective of personal tastes, each and every one of the buildings in this list and many more that silently spread the green wave and eco-friendly revolution go a long way in making our planet a better place both for us and the future generations!