Burj Dubai

Burj Dubai or Turn of Dubai (in Arab: برجدبي), is a Gratte-ciel in the course of construction with Dubai (United Arab Emirates) which, according to the manufacturers, will be in 2009 the most building of the world with a height considered varying from 750 to 950 meters. It must form the heart of a new district, Downtown Burj Dubai

Implied companies

It is built by a consortium directed by the South Korean company Samsung Corporation to shelter the companies of the national company of Dubai, but it will be managed by Emaar. It is the work of the architects Skidmore, Owings and Merrill of Chicago.

Description of the project

This project carried out by American agency SOM is perfectly representative of the current movement which pushes the contractors to build increasingly high buildings. He knew, since his advertisement in 2003, several changes. In the beginning this skyscraper was to make 560 meters in height but following the advertisement of more raised competitor projects, the project was initially redrawn to be able to reach a 705 meters height (of which an arrow of 30 meters) for 166 stages. These figures will however be higher after the realization of the skyscraper. Today the final height is held secret and the rumors give a report on a height which could vary between 800 and 900 meters.

The characteristic of this metal and concrete superstructure is to be conceived like a city with whole share, accommodating a total co-education of uses. With its residences, offices, trade, hotels, etc, it will be possible to live in this skyscraper 365 days per annum. It rather close to the concept of Arcologie such as would thus be described in the literature Cyberpunk (and which, contrary to the “true arcology”, does not have as an ambition to be an ecosystem, but more one city-building).

Construction

The building site started in January 2004 and will end on June 30th, 2009. Several records are successivements beaten during construction:

on April 7th, 2007, realization of the 120e stage for 422,5 meters: it is the greatest number of stages for a skyscraper.
on July 21st, 2007, the tower Burj Dubai became the skyscraper highest of the world. Culminating on 512,10 m and 141 floors, the tower thus exceeded the Taipei 101 with Taipei, Taiwan, holder of the preceding record with a height of 508 Mr.
on September 13rd, 2007, Burj Dubai reaches a 555,3 m height (1822 feet) for 150 stages: it exceeds the Tour CN of Toronto and becomes on this date the highest self-supporting structure of the world.
on October 24th, 2007, Burj Dubai now counts 156 stages with a 585.7 m height (1922 feet).

Polemic on the work conditions

Burj Dubai is mainly built by engineers and immigrant workers Pakistanais, Indiens, Bangladais, Chinese and Filipinos. Press articles report that qualified carpenters working on the site gain about USD 7,60 (€ 5,50) per day, and that the workmen gain USD 4,00 (€ 2,85). The trade unions were prohibited with the United Arab Emirates up to one recent time. March 21st, 2006, the workmen revolted against the low level of remuneration and the bad work conditions by starting riots and by damaging cars, offices, computers and equipment of construction but they did not touch with the Mosques. Official of the ministry for the interior of Dubai declared that the riots had caused approximately a million dollars (approximately 720.000 €) of damage. The majority of the workers returned the following day on the building site but refused to work. The workers assigned to the construction of the new terminal of the airport of Dubai joined the strike movement.

References

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