Paris, The Way it Was Meant to be Seen?

A highly controversial new book out by a speech writer for a high ranking Minister, across the pond in France is making all the rage.

What's the fuss you ask? - well, get a load of the title:  The book is called Guide des jolies femmes de Paris (Guide to the Pretty Women of Paris).  A bit of a self-help book to exploring the best Parisian "feminine specialties."  The book goes on to list the best spots in Paris for various parts of the female anatomy and other locations for typical hangouts, distinguished by female age-demographic in Paris.

         

I have been to Paris, but mainly relied on my Lonely Planet book to help me navigate through the streets to find the best cafes, art galleries and other familiar tourist sites.  Of course, 'people watching' was listed as being very much a part of Parisian culture.

What are your thoughts?  Is this book blatant sexism, or is this adding a different dimension to how cities should be viewed? 

...just when we thought French President Nicholas Sarkozy didn't have enough on his plate already.

Aleem Kanji

Location and R&D

Location as it relates to research and development increasingly matters - although you can't ignore talent in other places.  Find out why and how this affects BlackBerry (aka CrackBerry) maker - Research In Motion.

 

Aleem Kanji

Rising from the Sands

From next week's Economist:

A great piece on the rise of the Middle East economies including an interesting story with some background on the City of Dubai.

Having been to Dubai a few times, I can tell you that the story out there is compelling.  This one city is home to a quarter of our planet's construction cranes, they are spending massively to diversify their economy into industries such as IT, bio, media and manufacturing as oil reserves shrink.  Separately, Dubai has allocated a massive $15 billion dollars for public infrastructure alone over the next five years.

But is this sustainable?  Even though many Middle East cities are flourishing attracting talent and harnessing technological assets, can these places be models for the other big "T" that being, tolerance?   What do you think?

Aleem Kanji

The Backpack Apartment - Coming soon to your city?

With real estate running scarce and increasingly expensive in cities around the world, here's a way to still live in an urban environment - albeit in a very, very small space!  Its all about the backpack apartment which consists of a cube-made element.  The backpack apartment is constructed with a welded steel cage and a light birch veneered plywood interior cladding. The height of the top floor of the cube element is approximately eleven feet and the total weight of the sculpture is about two tons.

What do you think - is this something you would like to see in your city and would you consider living in a backpack apartment?  Note to City Zoning-by-law inspectors: Beware!

Aleem Kanji

Historic Cities Programme

A quick plug for a project I am involved with - the Historic Cities Programme (or HCP) coming to Toronto (free to attend for all) from April 16 to 25.  HCP is an international exhibition which is an initiative of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.  The exhibition debuted in the United States and is currently making its way across Canada. 

HCP showcases the conservation and re-use of buildings and public spaces in historic cities in countries such as Egypt, Syria, Mali, India and Afghanistan.  The HCP exhibition offers a perspective that looks at culture as an asset that can transform communities.

   

Here are some pictures from the exhibition's debut in Montreal last week

Aleem Kanji

"Upwardly" Mobile

Mobile, Alabama is making strides to advance its local economy, in recent weeks it has attracted Airbus' European parent company to its city in an effort to build an aerospace cluster.  New commercial airplanes and big military tanks are on the way for production right out of this tiny centre in the Southern U.S.  Other industries (steel, auto makers) are also looking at Mobile as a place to set up shop.

Why is it that manufacturers, many of them foreign based find Mobile hard to resist?  What's keeping Mobile Alabama's economy on fast forward?

Aleem Kanji

Who's Your "Ship" ?

Freedom Ship International has created the layout for the world's first city floating on water.  The ship's design would be home to 40,000 full time residents, 30,000 daily visitors, 10,000 nightly hotel guests, and 20,000 full time crew. This population of 100,000 people will provide a wealth of talent and diversity for the private businesses aboard the ship and to those they visit daily on their adventures ashore.  Over 200 acres of open area are planned for recreation and relaxation.  Freedom Ship also plans the biggest duty free retail shopping mall in the world along with the best education and health care facilities available.

The cost - anywhere from $180,000 to $2.5 million as well as a small number of premium suites currently priced up to (hold your breath!) $44 million.  Check out the on board subway in the second picture.

This truly blends urban planning and cruising in a way we have never really seen.  Price aside, what do you think of the concept? 

Aleem Kanji

Basing location on your career only?

Forbes has released a list of the best cities for business and careers.  Factors that influence this list are business and living costs, education, crime along with job and income growth.  Interestingly, there is some overlap with the list of best cities in   
Who's Your City which examines the best places based on a wider degree of factors.

What do you think?  Is your location of choice grounded on your business/career prospects exclusively?  Or do you consider other factors such as accessibility to cultural amenities, architecture, community openness?

Aside, in a sign that the mortgage mess is truly underway, Forbes also has a list of the best places to pick up a foreclosed home

Aleem Kanji