Dubai Heights, a prominent building in downtown Dubai, is home to diverse nationalities. A sneak-peek into the lives of a few residents of this much sought-after address offers an insight into the complex web of unconventional relationships set in the transient city. Simona, Lavanya, Elaina and Priyanka are contemporary women who experiment and explore the labyrinth of relationships with their partners to live their dreams. Are they achievers or losers? In this fast-paced book, multiple stories unfold as the city provides a framework to tempt fate and rewrite the layered and fragmented lives of regular people, who moved to the Emirates in search of opportunities. This book is about those who took their chances, which they would have otherwise not taken in their own countries.
Journeys with Open Eyes is not a travel book although it provides a wealth of information about places far-away and sometimes very close to home, both locationally and psychologically. Nor is it a history book, although the author, Hugh Roberts, was present in or around many of the world's trouble spots immediately before or after some of the epoch-making events of the 20th and early 21st centuries. This is a book about people. As such, it is concerned with Hugh's empathetic approach to members of the human race, be they indigenous residents of the High Andes, Soviet functionaries, Arab princes, white South Africans of the Apartheid era or numerous others. There can be no doubt that empathy helped him in his career as an international Urban Planner but empathy like this is only found in those with a genuine love for humankind. Hugh judges systems of government but rarely the people operating or imposing them. As a result, he invariably gets the best out of his fellows whether as friends, work colleagues or chance acquaintances. Journeys with Open Eyes will entertain and educate the reader in full measure and should be required reading for all who care for the inhabitants of this planet.
Seeped in nostalgia, Calcutta Lost And Found, is a collection of hilarious, wistful and touching coming-of-age stories written in the backdrop of ‘80s and ‘90s Kolkata. A roller-coaster ride of emotions and experiences comes to life in vivid characterisation and intricate detailing of the ‘city of passion’ in a retrospective narrative.
From Erick Erickson, "arguably the most powerful conservative in America today" (The Atlantic), an inspiring book about life's enduring values, based on a viral essay he wrote for his children after he and his wife both faced grave medical situations. "A must read." -- RedState In late 2016, prompted by the news that his wife was battling cancer and his own pulmonary medical scare, Erick Erickson posted a piece to his website, The Resurgent. Styled as a letter to his young children, the piece, titled "If I Should Die Before You Wake," was a stirring message--and challenge--about how to live a life of purpose and joy. The essay went viral, shared by figures like New York Times columnist and author of The Road to Character, David Brooks. Now, in a time when our country needs healing and a reminder of our values more than ever, Erickson has expanded the project, composing a total of ten letters, featuring a wonderful mix of the practical, inspirational, and spiritual.
This book explores Dubai's history from its beginnings as a small fishing village to its place on the world stage today, using historical narratives, travel descriptions, novels and fictional accounts by local writers to bring colour to€the history of the city's urban development. With case studies and surveys€the author explores the economic and political forces driving Dubai's urban growth, its changing urbanity and its place within the global city network.
This book provides a timely and comprehensive overview of current theories and methods in fuzzy logic, as well as relevant applications in a variety of fields of science and technology. Dedicated to Lotfi A. Zadeh on his one year death anniversary, the book goes beyond a pure commemorative text. Yet, it offers a fresh perspective on a number of relevant topics, such as computing with words, theory of perceptions, possibility theory, and decision-making in a fuzzy environment. Written by Zadeh’s closest colleagues and friends, the different chapters are intended both as a timely reference guide and a source of inspiration for scientists, developers and researchers who have been dealing with fuzzy sets or would like to learn more about their potential for their future research.
2020—the turn of decade, the intended year of Expo, and the eve of the UAE's 50th anniversary—is indeed an opportune time. Even as shockwaves from a truly unexpected disruption, known colloquially as coronavirus and officially COVID-19, resonate around the world, Dubai's diversification as well as its orientation toward innovation will undoubtedly help the Emirate lead the way through a challenging time.The Business Year's country-specific publications, sometimes featuring over 150 face-to-face interviews, are among the most comprehensive annual economic publications available internationally. This 244-page publication covers green economy, banking, capital markets, insurance, energy, industry, telecoms and IT, transport and logistics, maritime, real estate, construction, health, education, and tourism.
Each century has its own unique approach toward addressing the problem of high density and the 21st century is no exception. As cities try to cope with rapid population growth - adding 2.5 billion dwellers by 2050 - and grapple with destructive sprawl, politicians, planners and architects have become increasingly interested in the vertical city paradigm. Unfortunately, cities all over the world are grossly unprepared for integrating tall buildings, as these buildings may aggravate multidimensional sustainability challenges resulting in a “vertical sprawl” that could have worse consequences than “horizontal” sprawl. By using extensive data and numerous illustrations this book provides a comprehensive guide to the successful and sustainable integration of tall buildings into cities. A new crop of skyscrapers that employ passive design strategies, green technologies, energy-saving systems and innovative renewable energy offers significant architectural improvements. At the urban scale, the book argues that planners must integrate tall buildings with efficient mass transit, walkable neighbourhoods, cycling networks, vibrant mixed-use activities, iconic transit stations, attractive plazas, well-landscaped streets, spacious parks and engaging public art. Particularly, it proposes the Tall Building and Transit Oriented Development (TB-TOD) model as one of the sustainable options for large cities going forward. Building on the work of leaders in the fields of ecological and sustainable design, this book will open readers’ eyes to a wider range of possibilities for utilizing green, resilient, smart, and sustainable features in architecture and urban planning projects. The 20 chapters offer comprehensive reading for all those interested in the planning, design, and construction of sustainable cities.
