The Alps comes to the desert in the form of the third largest indoor ski resort in the world. Ski Dubai becomes part of the Mall of the Emirates -- the largest shopping center outside of the U.S.
"Two weeks ahead of its scheduled opening date of 2 December, we have been invited for a sneak preview. As the ferocious midday sun toasts tourists on nearby Jumeirah beaches, we're donning ski boots, gloves and thermal coats. Kitted out in full Scott-of-the-Antarctic style we approach the complex's colossal front doors, much to the amusement of the shoppers dressed in shorts and sandals in the adjoining mall.
...Even in this endlessly ambitious town, taking temperatures of up to 45C down to below zero seemed crazy. But this is a city that refuses to be confined by such trifling matters as logic, physics or geography. It's currently engaged in a host of surreal superprojects: building the first ever underwater hotel, complete with performance hall for subaquatic operas; constructing a theme park (imaginatively entitled 'Dubailand') that's larger than the city itself; and erecting the tallest tower in the world (the Burj Dubai, whose height is a firmly guarded secret). Next year will see the opening of the first Palm Island project, a vast manmade archipelago stretching into the Persian Gulf. For Dubai, 'moderation' is a dirty word."
FULL STORY: Ski in the desert? It could only happen in Dubai ...
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Greening Oakland’s School Grounds
With help from community partners like the Trust for Public Land, Oakland Unified School District is turning barren, asphalt-covered schoolyards into vibrant, green spaces that support outdoor learning, play, and student well-being.
California Governor Suspends CEQA Reviews for Utilities in Fire Areas
Utility restoration efforts in areas affected by the January wildfires in Los Angeles will be exempt from environmental regulations to speed up the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.
Native American Communities Prepare to Lead on Environmental Stewardship
In the face of federal threats to public lands and conservation efforts, indigenous groups continue to model nature-centered conservation efforts.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland