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energy resources

What are Alternative Energy Sources?

Alternative energy encompasses all those things that do not consume fossil fuel. They are widely available and environment friendly. They cause little or almost no pollution. There have been several alternative energy projects running in various countries to reduce our dependence on traditional fossil fuels. There are many impressive options that you can take into consideration. Here you will learn more about alternative energy sources that you can take into consideration. Solar Energy Solar is the first energy source in the world. It was in use much earlier before humans even learn how to light a fire. Many living things are dependent on solar energy from plants, aquatic life, and animals. Solar is mostly used in generating light and heat. The solar energy coming down to the planet is affected by the orbital path of the sun and its variations within the galaxy. In addition, it is affected by activity taking place in space and in the sun. It was this energy that is believed to have been responsible for the breaking of ice during the ice age, which creates the separation of lands and sea. Solar energy is one of the alternative energy sources that is used most widely across the globe. About 70% of the sunlight gets reflected back into space and we have only 30% of sunlight to meet up our energy demands. While solar energy is used for producing solar energy, it is also used for drying clothes, used by plants during the process of photosynthesis, and also used by human beings during winter seasons to make their body temperature warm. Solar energy can be extracted either by Solar Thermal or using Photovoltaic (PV) Cells. There are two kinds of solar energy the active solar energy and passive solar energy. Passive solar energy basically uses duration, position, and sun’s rays intensity to its advantage in heating a particular area. It also uses it to induce airflow from an area to the next. Active solar energy uses electrical technology and mechanical technology like collection panels in capturing, converting, and storing energy for future use. Solar energy does not create any pollution and is widely used by many countries. It is a renewable source of power since the sun will continue to produce sunlight all the years. Solar panels, which are required to harness this energy can be used for a long time and require little or no maintenance. Solar energy proves to be ineffective in colder regions that don’t receive good sunlight. It cannot be used at night and not all the light from the sun can be trapped by solar panels. Solar energy advantages are much more than its disadvantages which make it a viable source of producing alternative energy. Wind Energy This is one of the energy sources that have been in use for a very long time and for centuries. It was used in powering sailing ships, which made it possible for explorers to sail around their trade routes in distant lands. A single windmill can power the crop irrigation, and the family energy needs, water pumping, and electric lights. However, at the present time, there are several windmills that are used to generate the required energy mostly for industrial uses. Many of the wind turbines can capture much power all at once before feeding it to the power grid. These are commonly known as wind farms and have been in use for many years all around the world. It is only the United States that is going slow in terms of accepting this alternative energy source. Wind power is a renewable source of energy and reduces our alliance with foreign countries for the supply of oil and gas. It does not cause any air pollution and has created several jobs in the last few decades. Advancement in technologies has brought down the cost of setting up the wind power plant. Wind energy can only be used in areas that experience high winds which means that it cannot be used as a source to extract energy anywhere on earth. They sometimes create noise disturbances and cannot be used near residential areas. These disadvantages have made the use of wind energy in particular regions only. Geothermal Energy Geothermal energy can be found anywhere on the earth. Most countries tap this energy to generate electricity and power millions of homes. The areas which have high underground temperatures are the ones which are the ones which are prone to earthquakes and volcanoes. The United States produces more Geothermal electricity than any other country in the world. Most hot water geothermal reservoirs are located in the western states, Alaska, and Hawaii. Geothermal energy is totally renewable as the Earth will continue to produce heat as long as we are all are here. If these resources are tapped and are utilized effectively, they can provide solutions to the world’s power problems. Geothermal energy produces no pollution, reduces our alliance on fossil fuels. It also results in significant cost savings as no fuel is required to harness energy from beneath the earth. These advantages make geothermal energy one of the best alternative energy sources. But, geothermal has its downsides too. It is suitable for a particular region and cannot be harnessed everywhere. The earth may release some harmful gases while releasing the heat which may prove adverse for mankind. Also, the areas where this energy is harnessed are prone to earthquakes and volcanoes. Apart from that, setting up geothermal power stations requires huge installation costs. Hydroelectric Energy Solar energy is produced by the sun and wind energy is produced by the moving of winds. The heat caused by the sun drives the wind. The movement of winds is then captured by wind turbines. Both wind and sun cause water to evaporate. The water vapor then turns into rain or snow and flows down to sea or oceans through rivers or streams. The energy of the moving water can then be captured and called hydroelectric power. Hydroelectric power stations capture the kinetic energy of moving water

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Pakistan Tourism Agenda

Tourism situation in Pakistan Pakistan attracted just around two million foreign tourists in 2017. In the same duration, Turkey had a record season with 37 million foreign tourists. It is futile to compare ourselves with well-established tourist destinations like Spain (75m) and Italy (53m). China had 60 million tourists and India for the first time in its history hit the 10 million mark in 2017. Tourism has become an essential source of revenue generation. The tourism industry was responsible for 10.2% of the global GDP in 2017. In Turkey, tourism accounted for 20% of its total GDP. According to India’s tourism minister, New Delhi earned $27 billion for the year  2017 from the arrival of foreign tourists alone. According to the World Tourism and Travel Council, the direct contribution of tourism to Pakistan was only 2.7% of the GDP, which is abysmal by any standards. Terrorism and the law and order situation are the biggest impediments to the arrival of foreign tourists. The tourism industry works on brand and repute, and It seems challenging to visit a country that has high-security risks. However, it is easy to blame the lofty law and order situation for the abysmal performance of the tourism industry in Pakistan. As we see, the rate of foreign tourists was also not as encouraging even before the 9/11 incident. The problem is multi-pronged. The government and the private sector go hand in hand in the tourism industry. The government is responsible for a broader policy that lures foreign tourists to the country while the private sector pitches in to cater to tourists on the ground. Most of the tourism-related activities in Pakistan are happening on account of local tourism. There has been a steady increase in local tourism with 38.3 million local tourists reported by the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation in the last year. However, the tourism industry has even failed to cope with the influx of these local tourists. Consider going to Murree on a public holiday to enjoy the snow. One definitely will be stuck somewhere on the way. If by chance one reaches the destination, it will be an uphill task to get a reasonable room for the night with basic amenities such as warm water, good food, and heating. The aforesaid is just one of the many aspects of our ailing tourism industry. Another impediment is to get a visa to visit, Pakistan is one of the hardest countries in terms of visa approvals. The extra checks and security clearance takes a long, but on the other hand, this has triggered adverse effects on the tourism industry. The government has tried to fix this problem by announcing visa-free entry to 30 tourist-friendly countries. This visa-friendly visa issuance policy may help increase the confidence of foreign tourists. In today’s world, most foreign tourists travel through e-visa. Next, in line, the challenge is branding. Each country brands itself extensively to the world. For India, it is ‘Incredible India’ and the Taj Mahal as its face, and for Malaysia, it is ‘Malaysia Truly Asia.’ However, Pakistan has not made any such effort. Finally, for every tourist-friendly country, the most accessible transportation is essential, starting from direct air routes to intercity as well as intra-city connectivity. It is difficult to imagine a life in London without its ‘underground trains’ or connectivity in Istanbul without its tram and metro. Pakistan needs newer modes of mass transit. In this regard, the Orange Line Train in Lahore is a step in the right direction. It has suggested that other cities will also try to bring innovation to ease massive congestion on the roads. Factors influence the Tourism Hospitality Whether someone is traveling for business or pleasure, the level of customer service or Hospitality they receive on their trip will help determine whether they come back for another visit or warns their friends to avoid their trips to that country. Travelers, after all, have a ton of options when they leave home. Environmental factors A good climate is one of the most important features of attraction for any tourist place. A pleasant climate with warmth and ample sunshine attracts tourists who come from temperate and colder regions. For example, most of the seaside resorts in the U.S.A and the U.K are located in a warmer southeast. On the other hand, people from summer areas migrate to cooler regions to seek the pleasure of cold fresh environments. For instance, in India places like Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar near Mumbai, Kullu, and Manali, Shillong, Kashmir, so on are well-known for their cool and pleasant climate. Other countries with cooler climates that attract tropical tourists are Switzerland, Sweden, etc. Socio Economic Factor Accessibility: It has also assumed that all tourist centers should be easily accessible by various modes of transportation like roads, railways, air, and water. To enjoy nature’s beautiful sites seeing traveling by roads and railways is a better option. If a tourist plans to reach a remote tour-destination in the quickest possible time, then an airway is the most suitable choice. Generally, waterways are seldom selected unless a tourist decides to enjoy a luxury cruise experience in sea and interested in visiting an isolated archipelago. Accommodation: Places of tourists’ interest must be capable enough to provide reasonable accommodation and catering facilities. The type of accommodation required by tourists depends on their lives-styles, standard of living, the capacity to spend money, nature of services expected. Classification of accommodation centers (i.e., various hotels Five star to three-star, motels, dormitories) on basic of rating like five stars and below are essential so that tourists can make a proper choice and plan their trips appropriately. Generally, tourism mostly prospers in those areas where good lodging and food facilities are available at reasonable prices. It should be sure that there is a proper balance between space available for accommodation and no of tourist visit to avoid any inconvenience for the tourists Amenities: Growth of tourism at a particular place also influenced crucial factors like; how well the site

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PCATP Election 2019-2021

Source: pcatp.org.pk Dear All: Result of the Election for the PCATP Executive Committee Term 2019-2021 is attached for your information and record. Kindly acknowledge receipt of this email. Regards, Registrar, PCATP Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners Office No.04, 4th Floor, 61-C, 21st Commercial Street Phase-II Extension, D.H.A, Karachi. Tel No: 021-35883731 ELECTION 2019-2021 RESULT

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Sheher Saaz meets VC Overseas Pakistanis Commission

Vice Chairperson Overseas Pakistanis Commission (OPC) Punjab Waseem Akhtar has said that Punjab Province offers lucrative opportunities for investors. Overseas Pakistanis should invest in various sectors in Punjab; the provincial government would provide complete protection to their investment. He was talking to a delegation of Sheher Saaz Private Limited, belonging to a consulting company based in UK, Australia, and Pakistan. Director General OPC Usman Anwar, Director Police Matters Imran Mehmood, Director Revenue Mehr Khalid Ahmed were also present on this occasion. Highlighting the investment opportunities in Punjab Waseem Akhtar told that on the special instructions of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, complete technical assistance is being provided to investors to set up new projects in the province. Members of the delegation showed keen interest to provide consultancy services in the housing and construction sector. VC OPC said that the Punjab government is offering a pro-business environment to generate foreign and domestic investment. Members of the delegation included Javed Munwar, Khuram Farid Managing Director, Mehtab Qasim Town Planner, and Maryam Batool, Community and Environmental Planner.

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13 things I learned at Habitat III

This is the first of a series of posts on the major Habitat III conference held in Quito, Ecuador, in October. Now that we’ve packed up the Global Planners Network stand at Habitat III and as the New Urban Agenda is formally adopted, I have reflected on what I have learned from attending the conference and how things have moved on since the RTPI attended Habitat II some 20 years ago. I imagine all of those delegates attending have their own perspective. Indeed, I look forward to reading some of the blogs – I persuaded some of those I met to write for us! But for the moment this is my personal perspective. 1. We are all planners now Planning, planners, and more significantly the long-established principles of good planning appear throughout the New Urban Agenda. Nowhere did we have to defend these concepts. One issue for us is that many others are engaging in work traditionally done by planners – including IT companies – and so we need to work even harder to make the role of the professional planner valued, relevant and attractive. We promoted our Delivering Better Development report and drew heavily on our value of planning work. 2. The reality of rapid urbanization is even more dramatic in practice than in theory We were dealing with what was happening with rapid urbanization and the consequences, I lost count of how many times we talked about our centenary Planning Horizons papers here and they flew off the GPN stand. But meeting so many people from so many cities of such varied backgrounds, all grappling with the pace and consequences really bought it home. I have invited a couple of these people to speak at our 2017 RTPI Planning Convention. For me, Habitat III was really about shaping all places. The power of good design and quality of life ran like a seam through the conference and some of the most powerful advocates of both were community and civic groups. 3. We are dealing with twenty-first-century challenges with twentieth-century governance and legal frameworks (indeed, nineteenth-century sometimes) This issue came up time and again. Leadership at all political levels is therefore going to be key. 4. ‘Smart cities’ is a contested concept If I was being provocative I would say that smart cities are like love, in that it is in the eye of the beholder. There were multiple, well-attended sessions on this theme. In fact, I spoke at one of them and it was the most heated and fascinating discussion about the challenge of being technology-led as opposed to enabled, raised the question of smart cities versus sustainable cities, the importance of using data wisely, its potential to empower, and nervousness around who is driving what, tinged with excitement about the potential. (I made a note to re-read Sir Peter Head’s centenary article in Planning Theory and Practice and to follow this debate closely). 5. Genuinely affordable housing is challenging for everyone – but the challenge varies greatly It may be the sheer quantum of housing need, land prices, intensification, communities adapting to being rehoused, informal settlements, the role of place-making, or the link to employment (or many other issues). Just when I felt over-awed by the scale of the challenge I would then hear a solution-based presentation to inspire. Jose Morales (pictured to the right of Phil Williams), the Director of Human Settlements at the Ministry of Housing and Human Development in Ecuador agreed to write a piece for us on their approach to housing which was interesting, so watch out for that soon. 6. Land and infrastructure are critical You cannot ignore the land issue. Land ownership, tenures, markets, and equity were constant subjects of discussion. Also, the importance of infrastructure and its role in shaping and connecting places and in delivering jobs and homes are increasingly understood. It is no longer a stand-alone activity or subject. 7. Climate change is increasingly linked to the quality of life and resilience In debates, air quality (which we successfully argued should be included in the draft New Urban Agenda) also arose repeatedly. It was a key strand in all the discussions around resilience. 8. You cannot ignore finance and economic models and tools There were sessions on every aspect of how the economic and financial models will help or hinder the delivery of the New Urban Agenda. We spent some time on the Infonavit stand hearing about their approach to solving the Mexican housing challenge, where the government, financial institutions, unions, and housing associations have set-up a body to deliver homes. I was particularly interested in this as my niece and her Mexican husband are self-building under this scheme. 9. Diversity matters When you spend six days where every panel you sit on or session you attend is genuinely diverse in all senses, including in approach and perspective, it brings home to you how often the only diversity on a panel back home is you as the lone woman! There seemed to be as many young attendees as older participants. It was always great just to chat with the person next door to you. The gender question and how we engage women fully in shaping the city and ensure basics such as that they feel safe was writ large (I attended part of the Women’s Assembly on the first day). I did not come across any reference to LGBT issues, but colleagues did. 10. It matters that we engage with the humanitarian sector on supporting humanitarian action Our launch of the UKBEAG raised the question about where the gaps and opportunities are. We were humbled when listening to Carolina Proano, an Ecuadorian planner, speak at our session on her work post-earthquake planning. We were glad of the support we received from the British Embassy, DFID, and the Red Cross. 11. The cumulative UK presence was effective The small UK Government delegation led by Rubina Kurruna did sterling work, and we lost count of the number of events they spoke at or attended on behalf of the Government but there

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10 Mobile Apps you Should never miss, If you are an Architect

In the last years, smartphones have become one of the most useful and essential tools people use to organize their activities. Companies have developed a lot of apps to help people to do activities of many disciplines, and architecture could not be ignored. With the boom in the application designing industry and the competition amongst them, the quality has improved over the past couple of years. There are a lot of apps for architects, and we will review the top ten applications you must have.  Here is a list of the best 10 apps that every architect must-have. 1- Graphisoft’s BIMx app. (iOS and Android) On the top of our list comes BIMx,  which is the ideal app for architects using the ArchiCAD program to present or share designs with clients and contractors. The app integrates 2D and 3D for BIM models, see the floor plans, helping you to better understand the designs. BIMx models can be shared in real-time — so clients can access individual BIMx Hyper-models (including 2D and 3D content) on any of their devices after their architect shares it with them. This app can be the most useful tool in the construction process. Price: Free (iOS/Android), BIMx PRO: 49.99$ 2- Autodesk Format (iOS and Android) You can now create models on your phones or tablets. You can create conceptual models quickly anywhere and anytime, or even you can create and edit BIM models on your mobile device.  Added to this the application was recently updated with the real-world site information and the location-aware Shadow Study tool with which you just shouldn’t feel afraid to explore. You can even import the site image from the satellite. If you are not satisfied with the quality of your models made on a mobile device, you can export them later and edit them on your computer to improve them. And how can I forget you can back it up on the cloud and share it with others just with a tap.Price: Free (iOS, Android) 3- Paper (iOS only) Having won Apple’s App of the Year and been given the 2012 Apple Design Award, the Paper app by FiftyThree, Inc. makes it easy to capture your ideas as sketches, diagrams, illustrations, or notes and share them on the internet. It’s a simple and intuitive app built specifically for the iPad’s display. The company recently announced the introduction of a ‘pencil’ stylus that connects to the iPad via Bluetooth.Price: Free (iOS) 4- Autocad 360 Developed by Autodesk, Autocad 360is an extremely fundamental app that needs to be installed on your phone or tablet so that you have access to all the drawings when you are on the go. Autocad 360 enables you to view, create or edit any drawings. It will help you to access drawings anytime and anywhere you need to, and you can also share them using your web browser.Price: Free (IOS, Android) 5- MagicPlan This is a very interesting and useful app. It uses the device’s cameras to draw the floor plans of real spaces. You just have to stand in a certain place and point your device, and the app will draw the floor plan. When it is done, you can export the floor plan as a PDF, DXF, or a JPG.Price: Free (IOS, Android) 6- iRhino 3D (iOS only) This app will provide you the opportunity to view any Rhino 3DM file on your mobile device. It is useful to showcase your models when you do not have your laptop easy-to-hand.Price: 3.99$ (iOS) 7- SketchBook (iOS, Android) It is an application owned by Autodesk. This application is very helpful to draw sketches. You can also draw a picture to see the way your designs would look. And finally, if it is difficult for you to draw in perspective, this app gives you guides to do it well. We architecture students and architects can be inspired anywhere anytime by anything. Literally! The epiphany might descend upon us in the most crucial areas. In situations like these, instead of scavenging for paper and a pencil, at this time, you might even miss the opportunity, this application comes in handy. This application is perfect for digital sketching. Price: Free (iOS, Android, Amazon, Windows) 8- Morpholio Trace (iOS)  The more you draw the better it is. I personally love working in layers! The more layers you have the more refined the design turns out to be. This application is perfect for this, you keep sketching over your sketches. Adding layers over layers just like one places tracing paper. It’s truly the perfect application for an architect. Price: Free (iOS) 9- CADTOUCH (iOS, Android)  Last-minute editing is what we all do to our work. There is some tiny little fault that we find in our drawings and we need to edit them. It is a PRO CAD editor and viewer that helps you completely reinvent the on-site drawings and gives the user the power and ability to edit, measure, annotate, draw and view their work on-site. It also helps you to calculate the area of any space, design and draw floor plans and make a diagram. When you finished your work, you can email the archive immediately, so this app is very useful when you are not in your office.Price: Free (iOS, Android) 10- Architect Envi Deluxe (iOS) When bored a little bit of historical and current information seems to be the most entertaining time-pass. It’s like having all the maestros and the legends in your pocket at all times. The app is also perfect for architecture students. It will provide you information about the great architectural works in all-history and the most important architects. You can browse across every century and find the most famous buildings of each one. It’s sorted out according to the time-period with pictures of works of over 100+ architects. It also provides you information of the great architectural works in all-history. You can browse across every century and find the most famous buildings of each one. Apart from the pictures this also gives one

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IPP Executive Council Meeting

Institute of Planners Pakistan (IPP) Executive Council meeting was held on 25th May 2018 at 21 Dyal Singh Mansion, 57 The Mall, Lahore, 54000. Following attended the meeting: Mr. Aslam Mughal, Former President IPP Mr. Ghulam Sarwar Sandhu, President of IPP (Capital Development Authority) Mr. Khurram Farid Bargatt, Secretary-General IPP (Sheher Saaz Pvt Ltd) Mr. Salman Mehfooz Secretary Finance IPP (Lahore Development Authority) Mr. Muhammad Shoaib, Joint Secretary IPP (Surbana Juroung Pvt Ltd) Mr. Rizwan-Ur-Reham   Executive Member IPP (Consultant Housing Department) Dr. Fariha Tariq, Executive Member IPP (University of Management and Technology) Dr. Asghar Naeem Malik, Executive Member IPP (NUST Islamabad) Mr. Afraz Akhtar, Executive Member IPP (Lahore Development Authority) Mr. Muhammad Zubair, Executive Member IPP (Defense Housing Authority) Dr. Muhammad Asim Executive Member IPP (University of Engineering & Technology) Ms. Nida Batool Executive Executive Member IPP (University of Management & Technology) Dr. Obaid Ullah Nadeem, Member IPP (University of Engineering and Technolgy) Ms. Sadaf Saeed, Member IPP (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) Ms. Ayesha Butt Member IPP (Sheher Saaz Pvt Ltd) Mr. Mehtab Qasim  Member IPP (Sheher Saaz Pvt Ltd)

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8 Cool Ideas for U.S. Cities, Courtesy of the Dutch

BY JENNY XIE@CANONIND  An illuminated crosswalk designed to help drivers see pedestrians better.Photo via Lighted Zebra Crossing From Mondrian’s colorful, pared-down compositions to a bike- and weed-friendly culture, there’s a lot the Netherlands is known for. And recently, these cultural footings —as well as universal headaches like potholes and road safety—have inspired a number of innovative urban interventions around the country. We’ve gathered a handful below for inspiration—and pure amusement. 1. A bike traffic system that helps cyclists get all green lights A new bike traffic light system from Dutch company Springlab wants to make every urban cyclist’s dream come true. Flo uses sensors to detect riders’ speeds about 120 meters (or 400 feet) before a street traffic light and then displays symbols indicating whether they need to speed up (a hare), maintain the pace (a thumbs up), or slow down (a turtle) to make the next light. One Flo kiosk has been deployed in Utrecht, and there are plans to roll out a couple of more in the coming months. 2. Emoji as an architectural ornament Photos via Attika Architekten Goodbye gargoyles, hello smileys? Over in the Dutch city of Amersfoort, a brick mixed-use building now sports 22 emojis cast in white concrete on its facade. Love it or hate it, this is one architectural trick that perfectly encapsulates the current era. 3. “Self-healing” roads that fix their own potholes Shutterstock Modern cities are plagued by potholes. One Dutch materials scientist, Erik Schlangen at Delft University, thinks he may be able to defeat them. His team is currently developing “self-healing” asphalt—that is, asphalt embedded with tiny steel fibers so that when you run an electrical current over it with a huge magnet, the fibers heat up and fill in any small cracks that may be forming. According to his research, this type of asphalt would cost 25 percent more than traditional asphalt but last twice as long. It’s already being tested on a dozen different public roads around the country. 4. Building bridges out of cannabis hemp Eindhoven University of Technology It’s not the prettiest bridge out there, but it’s probably the world’s first and only one made entirely from biocomposite materials, namely cannabis hemp. Designed and built by a team of researchers and students in Eindhoven, the structure is made of hemp and flax fibers embedded in resin and covering a bio-based polymer core. The team, which has put 28 sensors in the bridge, will monitor the structure over the next year, studying its bounce and structural integrity. 5. Glowing crosswalks   Dutch company Lighted Zebra Crossing has a simple, effective way to help drivers see pedestrians better. Their glowing crosswalks replace the typical light-reflecting paint with illuminated lightboxes. The system is directly connected to the city’s streetlight system or solar panels and can be embedded right in the asphalt or pavers. 6. Turning city hall into a giant piece of art For the centennial of the Dutch art movement Di Stijl this year, the Hague commissioned artists Madje Vollaers and Pascal Zwart of Rotterdam-based Studio VZ to create a massive piece of artwork inspired by De Stijl’s most famous artist, Piet Mondrian, right on the facade of city hall. The 1995-built Richard Meier creation sure looks more ready to party with some color. 7. LED traffic lights for texting pedestrians Confronted with the reality of smartphone-obsessed pedestrians, the Dutch town of Bodegraven recently began a pilot project testing thin, colored LED light strips positioned at the end of sidewalks. Depending on their glow—red or green—the lights should be visible even to pedestrians with their heads down. 8. An endless circular runway?! Now, this is an idea that may never take off, but just entertain it for a second. According to Dutch scientist Henk Hesselink, who is working with the Netherlands Aerospace Centre, an “endless runway” with a 360-degree landing strip means planes can approach and takeoff from any direction without fighting against crosswinds. It would take up about a third of land typically reserved for airports and create more distributed flight paths (and more tolerable plane noise for residents in the area.)

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RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2017

The RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence are the most established and respected awards in the planning industry. They highlight exceptional examples of planning and celebrate the contribution that planners and planning make to society. The Awards will be presented at a formal ceremony on 15 June 2017, at Milton Court in Central London. For the first time ever there will be no cost to enter the Awards, it is completely FREE to everyone that would like to send through a submission. Entries are NOW OPEN Deadline: Midnight (GMT), Friday 9 December 2016 View our ‘How to Win Guide‘ for tips on how to put your submission together. For further information on entering the awards please contact awards@rtpi.org.uk Don’t forget to send us a tweet and let us know how your awards entry is coming along @rtpiplanners #RTPIAwards. If you are interested in sponsoring one of the most prestigious awards ceremonies in the industry please click here. View this Years Judging Panel How to Enter 1.    Select your category from the list below2.    Read the guidelines (below each category)3.    Complete the entry form4.    Create your submission following the instructions in the guidelines5.    Download and complete the image reference sheet6.    Post us a USB/Memory stick containing; A PDF copy of your submission, up to 5 high-resolution images (in addition to what is included in your submission, used for marketing purposes), a PDF copy of your image reference sheet PLUS two hard A3 copies of your submission The deadline for submitting the electronic entry form is Midnight (GMT) on 9 December. The deadline for receipt of the memory stick and hardcopy submissions is 4 pm on 16 December. The electronic entry form will help us match each entry to the right submission. You don’t have to attach your submission or images to the entry form. The submission should be posted to us on a memory stick and as hard copies. The 2017 Categories Project Categories: Excellence in Planning for Heritage Excellence in Planning for the Natural Environment Excellence in Planning for Well-being Excellence in Planning to Create Economically Successful Places Excellence in Planning to Deliver Housing Excellence in Planning for the Innovative Delivery of Infrastructure (new!) Excellence in Plan Making Practice International Award for Excellence in Planning (excluding the UK and the Republic of Ireland) Project Categories Guidelines: International Award for Excellence in Planning Guidelines Project/International Award Entry Form: Image Reference Sheet Team Categories: Employer Award for Excellence Local Authority Planning Team of the Year Small Planning Consultancy of the Year Planning Consultancy of the Year Team Categories Guidelines Employer Award for Excellence Guidelines: Team/Employer Award Entry Form Image Reference Sheet People Categories: Young Planner of the Year RTPI Volunteer of the Year People Categories Guidelines: People Entry Form Image Reference Sheet The Silver Jubilee Cup Since 1997, the prestigious Silver Jubilee Cup is awarded annually to the entry judges to be the most outstanding from amongst the individual category winners. Thank You to our Sponsors Headline Sponsors Drinks Reception Sponsor: Category Sponsors: Small Planning Consultancy of the Year Excellence in Planning for Heritage Excellence in Planning for the Natural Environment Planning Consultancy of the Year Excellence in Planning to Deliver Housing Young Planner of the Year Local Authority Team of the Year Excellence in Plan Making Practice Supporters: #RTPIAwards

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Walledcitylahore

Which is the Oldest Gated Community of Pakistan?

So we all are just paranoid about gated communities in Pakistan. Ok, some might not, be but most are! Look at Karachi, people are just pooling in their hard-earned money just because Bahria Town spells luxury and security. So let me tell you about a gated community that spelt luxury and security to the people of Pakistan since 2000 BCE and that’s 4014 years to date! Want to know where it is? Welcome to Lahore! The Androon Shehar (Walled City) of Lahore has spelt security and prosperity to the indigenous population of South Asia even before 2000 BCE. Hailing as one of the oldest city, which still exists today, the wide expanse of Lahore has rendered Androon Shehar as another gated community but probably the mother of all gated communities. Even though the fortified walls cease to exist, the 12 gates of Lahore stand resolute declaring “here stands Lahore which is alive even today!” Those gates, 13 in total, are among those which had always awed me the most. Especially their names! For example one of them is Bhatti gate and with the mere mention of the name I can see my friend Bhatti standing there, then there is Lohari where I imagine the blacksmiths used to work, Yakki gate where… (I don’t want to imagine what people did there) and the Mochi gate where everyone would have been like “Cobbler Cobbler mend my shoe!” From my point of view, securing the city with a boundary wall had been a very good practice of bundling the people together and prevents the cities from expanding. A practice which, sadly, has ceased to exist!  Now Lahore is expanding like wildfire and Mother Nature is crying as people keep eating it away just to provide the rich with an opportunity to invest! So what can we do to make our Mother happy? Courtesy: Architect Imtiaz Alam

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Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore Extension

Lahore Development UpdatesAllama Iqbal International Airport Lahore extension Project to start in March 2017.The Project will be constructed in 2 Phases.Phase 1 completion time: 18 MonthsThe Annual handling capacity will be increased from 4.5 million to 25 million passengers.The total gross area of extension: 325 000 square meters.There will be 31 Boarding bridges.A new underground multistory car parking will also be added providing car parks for 45 000 Cars with 2000 Motorcycles parking lots.The total cost of Extension: 60 Billion PKRSource : TYPSA Group , Pakistan Civil aviation authority #airports #lahore #allamaiqbalairport #architecture #extension #design #pakistan #development            

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Building Information Modeling (BIM): Autodesk Revit Workshop

Building Information Modeling (BIM): Autodesk Revit Workshop Instructor: YASIR NASEEM Architectural Engineer MSc. Architectural Engineering, Politecnico Di Milano, Italy BSc. Architectural Engineering, University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore. For details please email at shehersaaz@gmail.com

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Design for Pakistan: Human Centered Design Workshop

Design for Pakistan is a community of college students committed to use design to create social impact. The mission of the organization is to prepare social innovators and leaders by fostering collaboration and learn by doing. We are inspired by the Design for America community based out of Northwestern University founded in 2011.  

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Sheher Saaz and Independence Day Celebrations

Sheher Saaz and its team celebrated  Independence Day of Pakistan at its Lahore office. All the team members were very enthusiastic and thrilled about importance of this day and eager to strive for the better future of their country. 14th August the day of Pakistan is a common day for other nations, but this is most valuable day for Pakistani nation in history of Pakistan. In Urdu language it is called as “Yom-e-Istiqlal”. On 14th August 1947 the world saw a new country “Islamic Republic of Pakistan” as an independent country. Remember that according to Islamic calendar Pakistan became on 27th of Ramadan when Allah blessed Muslims with the pious homeland. The word “Pakistan” is combination of two words “Pak” means pious and “stan” means homeland. Both words belong to Persian and Urdu language. The Pakistan came into existence due to restless efforts of Quaid-e-Azam (the great leader) Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Muhammad Ali Jinnah proved to be a great leader and his name has been written in golden words in the history of Pakistan. 14th August is a public day of dedication and pride for the people throughout Pakistan and celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion among the nation. The main celebrations of this day are flag hoisting, singing patriotic songs, tributes to the national heroes and cultural activities. The importance of this day lies in paying tribute to the lost heroes and in raising the hopes for a bright future. All children and girls feel happy and filled with emotion on this day. They participate in events and express feelings. Being a Pakistani we must celebrate 14th August by thanking to All Mighty Allah for giving this homeland after immense sacrifices. Happy Independence Day To Whole Nation! Team Sheher Saaz  

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Masdar/MIT solar cell makes a grab for a world record with 35% efficiency and lower cost

A joint effort between MIT and Masdar Institute of Science and Technology may have cracked the code on one of the biggest challenges in moving forward with solar technology. As the cost of solar power technology drops, meeting and even dipping below the price of fossil fuel energy, researchers continue to look for ways to improve efficiency while bringing the cost down even more so that solar power can someday eclipse fossil fuel usage on a global scale. The Masdar Institute-MIT breakthrough involves a two-layered solar cell designed as a “step cell” that increase conversion of solar energy, but at a much lower cost than existing multilayered solar technology.   The newly developed solar cell represents big potential in the clean energy industry. Its theoretical efficiencies are above 40 percent and the team estimates its practical efficiencies at 35 percent. The current world record holder for solar efficiency registers just 24.1 percent by comparison, so the new two-layer solar cell could give the industry a run for its money. As such, Masdar Institute’s Ammar Nayfeh, associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science, and MIT’s Eugene Fitzgerald, the Merton C. Flemings-SMA Professor of Materials Science and Engineering (the research team’s principal investigators) have founded a startup company to commercialize the technology.   The Masdar Institute-MIT solar cell is unique, because it layers the typical low-cost silicon solar cellwith a gallium arsenide phosphide-based solar cell, which is capable of higher energy conversion rates thanks to its semiconductor material. The result is, essentially, the best of both worlds, conquering significantly higher efficiency than existing technology for a much lower production cost. Its developers envision the new device as an efficiency-boosting component for industrial applications, which could translate into a major boost in the percentage of the world’s electricity generation mix. Via MIT Images via Shutterstock and Tahra Al Hammadi/Masdar Institute News  

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Saif-ul-Malook Conference

Mian Muhammad Bukhsh Trust and Sheher Saaz are organizing the ”Saif-ul-Malook Conference” on the 5th of June 2016. Mushtaq Hussain Bargatt Chairman of the Trust, Dr. Tariq Aziz Vice Chairman of the Trust, and Mr. Khurram Farid Managing Director of Sheher Saaz along with team members finalized the program.

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