Grand Paris, a vision of the city and its suburbs in 2030, is a project initiated by President Nicolas Sarkozy, partly to stay abreast (and ahead of) other global metropolitan cities and partly to create a greener, more environmentally friendly Paris. The pictures shown above are a few of the designs handed over to Sarkozy by ten of the top planning firms in the region. The goal is to have skyscrapers and structures that are partly powered by wind and solar energy, with elevated rapid transit connecting the suburbs to the city center. The images displayed during an exhibit called “Le Grand Paris”, received mixed reviews with some Parisians showing concern over lost identity and others eagerly anticipating a potential source of new jobs.

Incidentally, way back in 1889, the Parisians were not too sold on the idea of a towering hunk of metal in the heart of their beloved city, albeit the then, tallest structure in the world. In fact, the Paris elite almost succeeded in tearing the Eiffel Tower down in 1909 (the tower was spared due to its extreme practical value). What a shame that would have been for the two hundred million plus people who have since visited one of the world’s most well known monuments!

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Despite the recent real estate downturn, 55 Time Dubai, a Dhs700m 360 degree-revolving tower located in Dubailand, is set to begin construction in a few weeks. Based on architect David Fisher’s concept, this will be the first of twenty four rotating towers due for construction in each of the world’s time zones, the second planned for Moscow.

The 420 meters high tower has 80 floors, with each floor capable of moving independently of the other. The first 20 floors will consist of office space, floors 21 to 35 will be operated as a luxury hotel, and floors 36 through 70 will be residential apartments. And get this - the top 10 floors are luxury villas with parking space inside the apartment!

Each floor is prefabricated and will be shipped to the construction site in parts for attachment to the central concrete core. The tower will also be able to sustain all of its power needs through wind turbines fitted between floors and solar panels.

Think this is unbelievable? There are plans of an entire rotating city on an island in Abu Dhabi with revolving towers and floating villas.

Watch the video. See what the future of Dubai real estate looks like and don’t forget to turn up the volume!