incredible india", malaysia did the same "malaysia truly asia" singapore has "uniquely singapore"


Bangladesh's one is "Beautiful Bangladesh". Was launched a few months ago.

....
We cannot of course have the rapid development they had because we lack that magic get-out-of-poverty ticket...ie oil. .....

According 2001 statistics petroleum and other hydrocarbon products are only about 12% of Malaysia's major exports while finished goods namely, electrical and electronic goods are about 57.2%. Malaysia, like Indonesia probably had substantial oil reserves but is no longer the case. It appears though that they made very wise and good use of that commodity to launch themselves, something that Indonesia failed to do.

I consider the city states like Singapore and Taiwan to be the real miracle workers. They literally pulled rabbits out of a hat ... all they was human capital with nearly zero (natural) resources. Do you think Dubai could be compared to Singapore, like people do today, if they had no oil?

As for Bangladesh, the less said the better.

But then wouldnt you agree that by going with this towers first approach, we are just digging a deeper and deeper hole for ourselves? Back in 2005 when I first joined this forum and Tmac was the only other bangladeshi member, I use to amazed by his updates to see that Bangladesh was finally starting to look like a modern city. Just four years back there were so few skyscrapers in Bangladesh that when these developments started popping up, I believed that it was finally time when bangladesh started rising and with all these planned developments, the infrastructure must be coming.

More than four years later, there is still nothing and all there towers have managed to do is create a giant problem for the future atleast from what I see. Already in many places in Dhaka, because of how these buildings were built, it is pretty much impossible to expand the roads which were too narrow to begin with. Many of residential buildings in the city were built without adaquate water, power or transportation infrastructure causing chronic problems in the city. To eventually get this infrastructure to these buildings, if its even possible, it will cost a lot more than it would have if they put it in from the start. I think its about time we step back, and get the infrastructure in first before we go about this building spree cause all we are doing is making a bigger and bigger problem for the future. So yes, for the future of the city rather than just its image, I do believe we need to cut down on the number of building projects and get this culture of infrastructure first to the private sector.

I tried to argue these same points many times over but nobody seems to listen or care. All they care about how tall and glitzy is the next new building. If ran DCC, I would impose a moratorium on this building boom and get the underlying infrastructure right before proceeding further.

Earlier today my wife was trying to webcam with my sister-in-law in Dhaka. They barely got started when bang! Out went the power in my brother's neighborhood (per an sms from my nephew). If I find it so irritating I cannot imagine how frustrating it must be for residents of Dhaka!

So, go ahead and build one high rise after another but pretty soon there won't be any power to light these buildings or water flowing through the pipes.

I tried to argue these same points many times over but nobody seems to listen or care. All they care about how tall and glitzy is the next new building. If ran DCC, I would impose a moratorium on this building boom and get the underlying infrastructure right before proceeding further.

Earlier today my wife was trying to webcam with my sister-in-law in Dhaka. They barely got started when bang! Out went the power in my brother's neighborhood (per an sms from my nephew). If I find it so irritating I cannot imagine how frustrating it must be for residents of Dhaka!

So, go ahead and build one high rise after another but pretty soon there won't be any power to light these buildings or water flowing through the pipes.
lawl pwned!

So Zaki and Towhid bhai, what is the solution? Make a law banning highrises and force private businessmen to put their money into infrastructure? Or just ban highrises and wait until we have world class infrastructure? How long would that take...given the great abilities of our govt? If such bans would benefit the country I'm all for it, I'm just not seeing it now. I'm all for improving infrastructure...but this should be in step with building projects, not in place of.

So Zaki and Towhid bhai, what is the solution? Make a law banning highrises and force private businessmen to put their money into infrastructure? Or just ban highrises and wait until we have world class infrastructure? If such bans would benefit the country I'm all for it, I'm just not seeing it now.

No, not at all. Since the government is useless, I'd urge private business to get into the infrastructure business. Since the projects would be massive I would recommend a collaboration i.e. pooling of resources. Perhaps then construction of high rises and other structures could continue, side by side, since the same folks would be working on the foundation projects. So, Bushundhara et al need to begin water supply, power supply (distribution), drainage/sewage/treatment, roads and highways projects.

According 2001 statistics petroleum and other hydrocarbon products are only about 12% of Malaysia's major exports

Kudos to Malaysia but such statistics do not always tell the whole story. For example, in the UAE one statistic they frequently like to mention is how only 6% of their revenue comes from oil. Well, yes...for instance they make money from their airlines, from hotels, banks, etc. But these might never have been competitive at that level without the initial expenditure driven by oil dollars. Oil or other minerals are never sufficient for development...otherwise some of the poorest countries in the world would be among the richest. At the same time, many countries like to downplay the role that mineral resources played in their development. Don't get me wrong, I am in no way excusing us on account of our lack of these resources. In fact the discussion on oil grew off a tangent of my stance on highrises.

So Zaki and Towhid bhai, what is the solution? Make a law banning highrises and force private businessmen to put their money into infrastructure? Or just ban highrises and wait until we have world class infrastructure? How long would that take...given the great abilities of our govt? If such bans would benefit the country I'm all for it, I'm just not seeing it now. I'm all for improving infrastructure...but this should be in step with building projects, not in place of.

Well firstly the buildings should not be approved in the first place until a proper infrastructure assessment of the location is complete. If the infrastructure is lacking and the government is unable to provide it at that location, there should be an option for the private investor to implement their own infrastructure are the location in terms with minimum infrastructure requirements in return for some tax breaks for the private investors for their property. I believe this is the only tangible solution taking into account our useless government. Basically a building should not be approved and built without infrastructure but that infrastructure does not necessarily have to come from the government.

Points taken. I wonder though, whether tax breaks or such...in a country such as ours with weak tax system and plenty of bribery...would provide sufficient incentive. And businesses collaborating independently on infrastructure like roads...without coordination by govt...I'm not sure how well that would work either. Still...if height limits help, then well and good, I'm for it. Though I feel that meeting needs of growing built environment could give a kick in the rear to speed up infrastructure development, not just the other way around.

Isn't it time to open a new thread since this one has passed 1,000 posts.

Kudos to Malaysia but such statistics do not always tell the whole story.

I agree. At the same time, I do believe they are far less reliant on oil than the ME countries. Today, I come across most computer, computer component parts,(I am in IT profession) and other electronics that are either made in China or Malaysia.

For example, in the UAE one statistic they frequently like to mention is how only 6% of their revenue comes from oil. Well, yes...for instance they make money from their airlines, from hotels, banks, etc. But these might never have been competitive at that level without the initial expenditure driven by oil dollars.

Hah! Only 6%? They are simply lying, I don't buy it. Perhaps it makes them feel better to state otherwise, but I believe oil is their primary source of income.

Hah! Only 6%? They are simply lying, I don't buy it. Perhaps it makes them feel better to state otherwise, but I believe oil is their primary source of income.

No its actually true. Oil doesn't make up more than 10% of their economy. I think that's why they have such a big drive to try (though retartedly) to move away from oil. All the oil reserves in the UAE are in Abu Dhabi, Dubai in comparison has almost nothing.

No its actually true. Oil doesn't make up more than 10% of their economy. I think that's why they have such a big drive to try (though retartedly) to move away from oil. All the oil reserves in the UAE are in Abu Dhabi, Dubai in comparison has almost nothing.

Perhaps for the Emirate of Dubai, can't be for entire UAE? I couldn't find any such statistic.

Isn't it time to open a new thread since this one has passed 1,000 posts.

Do the honors, if you like.

... Though I feel that meeting needs of growing built environment could give a kick in the rear to speed up infrastructure development, not just the other way around.

Perhaps, but certain things cannot be retroactive, post built such as water/sewage/drainage (lines), gas lines, new roads, (widening of roads), space for greenery, etc.

I might add that the regulatory bodies ought to incorporate certain provision for eco-friendly material as well as creating self-reliant structures to the extent possible, like rain water collection and recycling, solar arrays, and even perhaps the new generation small footprint wind turbines on highrises were there is adequate wind flow.

Since this thread already exceeded 1,000 posts I am opening Dhaka Projects - Part 3 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=38597120#post38597120) . Please discuss all things related, there.