Sustainable city developer URB has produced designs for 77 square miles of artificial reef off the coast of Dubai.
In a city known for superlatives, it’s no surprise that someone in Dubai plans to build another of the “world’s largest.” But unlike the tallest skyscraper or the deepest pool, the latest proposed project is not simply an architectural feat, it’s a win for ocean conservation too. Dubai Reefs bills itself as the world’s largest ocean restoration project; if built it would consist of 77 square miles of artificial reef that will create a home for more than one billion corals and 100 million mangrove trees. Plans for the project were announced this week by URB, a Dubai-based developer of sustainable cities, whose previous designs include an indoor cycling super highway in Dubai and sustainable cities in Egypt and South Africa. “The health of our cities is intrinsically tied to the health of our oceans,” URB CEO Baharash Bagherian told CNN in an email. “We need an entrepreneurial spirit in the planning of coastal cities.” Alongside the artificial reefs, URB has designed floating residential, hospitality, retail facilities and various eco-lodges, which it says would make the site a tourism destination. At the center the project would be a marine institute, dedicated to ocean research and protecting Dubai’s coastal environment. It would also offer education programs around marine conservation. URB claims that the site will be powered by 100% renewable energy, generated from solar, hydropower and wave farms, while seaweed and oyster farms would produce food. If construction goes ahead, the developer expects to complete the project by 2040, but notes that it will face challenges in ensuring the initiative can be funded entirely privately, and can be accessed by people of all income levels. “Dubai Reefs aims to become a blueprint for marine conservation, ecotourism and ocean living,” said Bagherian. “Ultimately, it will become a unique resilient destination providing food security and energy from the ocean, whilst empowering a greener economy.”.The world’s oldest dog is living it up in his 30s. Bobi, a Portuguese pooch who was declared the world’s oldest dog by Guinness World Records in February, celebrated his 31st birthday on Thursday, according to a news release from Guinness. Bobi’s family planned a Saturday birthday party at his home in Conqueiros, a rural village in southern Portugal. His owner, Leonel Costa, told Guinness that it will be a “very traditional” Portuguese party. Over 100 people are set to attend and a dance troupe are set to perform, according to the news release. Costa told Guinness that Bobi has been enjoying a lot of attention since being crowned the world’s oldest dog. “We’ve had a lot of journalists and people come from all over the world to take a picture with Bobi,” he said in the release. He added that the senior pup was in good health and recently received a check-up due to Costa’s concerns about the stress of frequent visitors. “There were a lot of pictures taken and he had to get up and down many times,” he said in the release. “It wasn’t easy for him.” Bobi is a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, a breed of Portuguese dog trained to guard livestock, according to his owner. As he’s gotten older, he has had difficulties walking and also experienced a decline in his eyesight. Costa attributed his dog’s longevity in part to the “calm, peaceful environment” where he lives. In addition to being the oldest dog currently living, Bobi is also the oldest dog ever recorded, according to Guinness. Costa was just 8 years old when his canine companion was born. “Bobi is special because looking at him is like remembering the people who were part of our family and unfortunately are no longer here, like my father, my brother, or my grandparents who have already left this world,” he said in the release…pop-up, featuring pies made of leftovers from the Icelandic wool industry. A vertical felting machine plays the role of a pizza oven, while the trio of creatives decorated their one-of-a-kind wool delicacies with all the toppings..
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