Do we need skyscrapers?
ANWAR Abbas is absolutely correct when he says in his letter (Feb 22) that building the world’s tallest building in a country and city which need almost every essential facility and amenity like education, healthcare, jobs, gas, power, water, food, sewerage and so on and don’t have efficient rail and road services, is a very bad idea.
Putting a silk patch on a beggar’s robe won’t make him king. Rich western and, perhaps, a few Muslim countries can afford such ego-boosting landmarks but not a developing country like ours. It is akin to playing that childish game of ‘Mine is better,’ penned by the famed psychologist Eric Berne in his masterpiece work, ‘Games People Play.’
Given the clarification by the Abu Dhabi group about this project (Feb. 22), it appears that the UAE sponsors supposed to finance Malik Riaz’s mind b oggling proposal, have withdrawn all association with it and it may not be built after all, unless Mr Riaz is able to find some other partner.
However, I wish to point out some additional risks in creating such a skyscraper. The civil defence and other agencies aren’t even adequately equipped or trained to deal with fires or other accidents in much smaller buildings. What would happen if there is an earthquake, cyclone, air attack or other act of terrorism (such a site will surely become a prized target for terrorists)?
It would be much better if the Pakistani tycoon does something to alleviate the chronic transportation problem of this financial hub of the country by finding sponsors and using his influence with the government to construct a mass transit system.
A. G. CHAUDHRY
Karachi
I want to draw attention of Malik Riaz to help180 million people of Pakistan in contributing as much as in lessoning cicular debt which our oil companies claim for the genration of energy.. This will be great service to Pakistani nation.
Cities around the world need to expand horizontally to be able to provide services to their people. As we keep on stretching our cities, it will become even more difficult for any sort of governance to provide any relief (even if you bring down angels somehow!).
All the fanfare about this venture is nothing but a ploy to fool Pakistani voters by Zardari Riaz.
Not the skyscraper…. we need scrapper that will scrap off religious extremist, corruption, dishonesty, feudalism, anarchy, bigotry, hypocrisy etc. If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.
absolutely correct…, it is not a good idea, we need to address other issues first than making taller buildings.
Dont worry no one is building the worlds tallest building in karachi. It was another scam by the Bahria Town mogul – Abu Dhabi group have refuted the claims in the media and given out a presser to clarify that the Memorandum they signed (which was aimed at exploring investment opportunities not agreeing to move forward with one) is now null and void.
We dont need Taj Mahal and scyskrapers, we need excellent universities with facilities of scientific research. And also net work of communications, good inter net, railways, roads air lines etc. Riaz saheb dont dump peoples money in unproductive buildings. Please come up with proposal to renewate and run Pakistan Railways as test of your love for the country.