A Qatari Skyscrapper in the heart of London
A new modern symbol towers above London Bridge, Europes highest builiding , is it a shot in the arm for London – or merely a symbol of Qatari financial muscle ? The Guardian asks.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/A-Qatari-Skyscr...
The Shard has become the tallest building in Europe, rising higher than Canary Wharf's main tower, Frankfurt's Commerzbank and the Ostankino television tower in Moscow. It is 310-metre-high (1,017ft) and scheduled to open in June, in what is forecast to be a continuing economic slump. Recent research suggests that large skyscrappers are often constructed in economically difficult time such as the Bourj Khalifa in Dubai or the Petronas building in Malaysia.
The Guardian highlights different views about the construction of the Shard which will house offices,fine dinning restaurants a Shangri la Hotel and palatial arpartments with stunning views. However the shyscrapper has been constructed in a very poor area in Bermondsey and The Guardian highlights local compliants that the local community, many of whom are unemployed will derive little benefit from the building. There some 2,000 young 16-24 unemployed and unemployed in Southwark and the local council has so far found jobs for 40 people in the Shard. A similar problem has been encountered at teh Olympic site in the East end of London, where many locals see no benefit from the Olympic games. It is sadly also a result of very poor eductional and training facilities in London where their is long term unemployment of young people which has a very negative effect.
Many including Prince Charles find modern buildings like the Shard clash with London's older buildings and are unsightly. Prince Charles called it an "enormous salt cellar." Whilst Prince Charles and English Heritage managed to stop or delay earlier projects but this one signicantly,has gone ahead.
The Shard was planned when the British economy appeared to be booming but when it came to start building the developer did not have the funds and the Qatari Central Bank put up £2 billion and bought the project. For Qatar the money was not the main consideration. The Qatari ambassador to London, Khalid bin Rashid bin Salim al-Hamoudi al-Mansouri,highlights Qatar's long relations with the UK and longterm policy of investing in the UK. "The UK is a strategic partner with our country," he said.
The governor of Qatar's central bank, Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud al-Thani, said he was confident the Shard would become "a symbol of the close ties between Qatar and the UK".
The feeling is that by investing in London's future they are also encouraging closer economic ties with the UK so that if Qatar is threatened, possibly by Iran they can be more sure that the West will come to their aid in time of need. The invasion, of Kuwait and the displacement of its population is still fresh in the memory of the Gulf Arabs. Qatar also owns, Harrods, the American embassy building in Grosvenor Square, and Chelsea Barracks. Other Gulf Arab Nationals in London are perhaps a little jealous of Qatar owning Harrods which is their favourite store.
The promoter and architect natuarally wax lyrical about the building's potential. The promoter Irvine Sellar, said. "People will feel proud," he said. "This is London. This is the Shard." The architect Renzo Piano also built the Pompidou Centre in Paris and is a distinguished architect. Londoners must be wondering what other modernist constructions are going to change the skyline of their city.
The Guardian highlights different views about the construction of the Shard which will house offices,fine dinning restaurants a Shangri la Hotel and palatial arpartments with stunning views. However the shyscrapper has been constructed in a very poor area in Bermondsey and The Guardian highlights local compliants that the local community, many of whom are unemployed will derive little benefit from the building. There some 2,000 young 16-24 unemployed and unemployed in Southwark and the local council has so far found jobs for 40 people in the Shard. A similar problem has been encountered at teh Olympic site in the East end of London, where many locals see no benefit from the Olympic games. It is sadly also a result of very poor eductional and training facilities in London where their is long term unemployment of young people which has a very negative effect.
Many including Prince Charles find modern buildings like the Shard clash with London's older buildings and are unsightly. Prince Charles called it an "enormous salt cellar." Whilst Prince Charles and English Heritage managed to stop or delay earlier projects but this one signicantly,has gone ahead.
The Shard was planned when the British economy appeared to be booming but when it came to start building the developer did not have the funds and the Qatari Central Bank put up £2 billion and bought the project. For Qatar the money was not the main consideration. The Qatari ambassador to London, Khalid bin Rashid bin Salim al-Hamoudi al-Mansouri,highlights Qatar's long relations with the UK and longterm policy of investing in the UK. "The UK is a strategic partner with our country," he said.
The governor of Qatar's central bank, Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud al-Thani, said he was confident the Shard would become "a symbol of the close ties between Qatar and the UK".
The feeling is that by investing in London's future they are also encouraging closer economic ties with the UK so that if Qatar is threatened, possibly by Iran they can be more sure that the West will come to their aid in time of need. The invasion, of Kuwait and the displacement of its population is still fresh in the memory of the Gulf Arabs. Qatar also owns, Harrods, the American embassy building in Grosvenor Square, and Chelsea Barracks. Other Gulf Arab Nationals in London are perhaps a little jealous of Qatar owning Harrods which is their favourite store.
The promoter and architect natuarally wax lyrical about the building's potential. The promoter Irvine Sellar, said. "People will feel proud," he said. "This is London. This is the Shard." The architect Renzo Piano also built the Pompidou Centre in Paris and is a distinguished architect. Londoners must be wondering what other modernist constructions are going to change the skyline of their city.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/A-Qatari-Skyscr...