Dubai to have at least six supertowers by '15

Dubai: The fast-changing Dubai skyline will sport at least six "supertowers" of more than 100 habitable floors, more than any other city in the world, as per information available.

The supertowers are Burj Dubai (where work continues after the completion of 126 floors), Burj Al Alam (slated to rise to 108 floors), the 101-storey Marina 101, Princess Tower (107 floors), the 120-storey Pentominium and Al Burj (which is expected to have between 180 and 200 floors).

Most of these buildings are in various stages of planning and construction although Burj Dubai - tipped to become the world's tallest tower - is powering ahead, adding a floor a week, and at least three others are in the early stages of construction. Work on Al Burj is not expected to start until Burj Dubai, whose height and floor-level are closely-guarded secrets, is completed.

So Dubai will remain in the news for developing supertowers until at least 2015. No city other than Dubai and Chicago hosts more than one supertower.

Chicago has two - the 108-storey Sears Towers and the 100-storey John Hancock Center. A third, the 118-floor 7 South Dearborn tower, is under construction.

The development of six "supertowers" will raise Dubai's stature among the world's megacities, not only in terms of height, but also beauty, aesthetics and design quality, architects and designers say.

Apart from Burj Dubai or Al Burj, which will probably be remembered more for their towering heights, Burj Al Arab, Dancing Towers and Dubai Towers might be photographed by tourists for their striking design and aesthetic appeal.

"When we design, we design the present, which shapes the future. It is about shaping a contemporary world," Karim Rashid, Designer with Karim Rashid Inc of the US, said at an IDF panel yesterday.

In terms of development, Dubai has one of the highest number of towers and skyscrapers under construction including hundreds on both sides of Shaikh Zayed Road, while more than 1,850 will be constructed at the Dubai World Central Airport City in Jebel Ali.

By 2015, Dubai will have six "supertowers" that will rise more than 100 habitable floors making it the only city with so many towers with more than 100 floors once completed, according to available information.

These are Burj Dubai, which has already reached 126 floors and is still going strong; Burj Al Alam, slated to rise to 108 floors; the 101 storey Marina 101; Princess Tower with 107 floors; the 120-storey Pentominium and Al Burj which, as "one of the tallest towers" is expected to be between 180 and 200 floors.

Apart from these, a number of skyscrapers that will rise 80-100 floors are being built, including the 90-storey Marina 23 by ETA Star and the 90-storey Al Sharq Tower on Shaikh Zayed Road - all iconic projects.

When completed, the number of supertowers in the city will be more than those developed in the rest of the world.

Dubai is only targeting the upper class. What about the expats who actually made this country, they are not being taken care of?
Azim
Dubai,UAE

It's good to see this country expand their boundaries. I adore peoples/nations that are not afraid to go beyond their comfort zone or not be frightened by changes.
Macey
Dubai,UAE

ICC, FIFA, FORMULA A1 and what not...To those who thought it all a bubble, sorry! Dubai is delivering more than the investors wanted.
Manosha
Dubai,UAE

To Ioannis, since when have religious or cultural beliefs dictated building regulations?
Howard
Dubai,UAE

Unbelievable! Dubai, after this, is going to be a super city!! It always targets what breaks the record!!!
Shaaz
Ajman,UAE

It is good to hear that Dubai is growing at the speed of light. But has anyone thought about the impact of all these towers on the structure of our beloved earth? Erecting so many towers at such short distances can cause the inner structure of the earth to distort, giving an open invitation to earthquakes.I think the authorities should give a thought to this and instead spend on other aspects of growth, like art, culture, education, health and research.
Yasmin
Abu Dhabi,UAE

I like Dubai as it is a very beautiful and peaceful country. The tower are very attractive. God may bless their builders.
Gulshan
Kohat,Pakistan

Man's ambitions will never be quenched. Towers, skyscrapers, etc. are the visible evidence of this thirst for going high. And it should be appreciated too. Dubai becoming the centre of attraction for this is another achievement. And kudos to those architects and labourers who make the dream projects come true.But are we thinking about the aftereffect this will be doing to the nature? Can the desert bear them?
Nazeem
Sharjah,UAE

Big towers disagree with cultural ethics and traditions of UAE and the middle east in general.
Ioannis
Athens,Greece

This is truly awe inspiring.The designs are out of this world, yet the construction industry needs to become aware of the quality of products it installs. Acoustic and fire rating properties need to be installed as a priority.
Ron
Melbourne,Australia

It's unbelievable the way Dubai is progressing.
Gerry
Richmond, British Columbia,Canada

The superpowers will definitely give Dubai a distinct place in the world but will this construction boom be able to solve the problems of expats, especially Asian, cramped living conditions?
Omar
Abu Dhabi,UAE

I am very proud to be in part of these tall towers as I'm engaged as a planning engineer.
Shaik
Al Quoz,Dubai

While it is praisworthy to see Dubai being developed into a world class city with numerous sky-scrappers at rapid paces ,let us stop for few moments and take a deep breath and ponder. Does a coutnry's progress can be measured by as to how moany tall towers it has erected ? The quest for social, political, cultural, and artistic freedom are the basic foundations that need to be laid and addressed first if we want to stand at the top of the world. Rest everything will follow. While it is praiseworthy to see Dubai being developed into a world class city with numerous skyscrapers, let us stop for few moments and ponder. Can a country?s progress be measured by how many tall towers it has erected? The quest for social, political, cultural, and artistic freedom are the basic foundations that need to be laid and addressed first if we want to stand at the top of the world. Rest will follow. My tribute to the thousands of blue collar construction workers without whom none of these developments would have been possible.
Mohd Ismail
Dubai,UAE

One way it looks nice to build these towers. But, when these are getting built has anybody looked into who would need these, and where will you derive all the utilities for this and how will these get maintained. Desert is nature?s most powerful conqueror and it is more powerful than any human being can conquer. No nuclear energy will solve the energy problem. Kind reminder Taipei's tower is still empty in lot of places.
Kroner
Virginia,USA

Man! This is amazing!Whatever it is, Dubai only targets stuff which will break the record.
Emran
Abu Dhabi,UAE