What are the 7 wonders of the world. It's a question that always stumps us. Even more confusing now that there is a new list being put together and it's based on the voting public. Abu Dhabi is getting in on the action with Butinah Island. You may not have heard of it but here's the spiel:
Imagine an island with shallow sparkling blue waters and sandy beaches, visited by critically endangered animals, musical with birdsong and remote from the bustle and noise of human habitation. Add colourful coral reefs and seven metre high mangrove trees to that picture and you'll start to get an idea of the peace and beauty of Bu Tinah Island. Bu Tinah's thriving habitat and species form a unique living laboratory, with key significance for climate change research. An undisturbed but threatened paradise,Bu Tinah has much to teach mankind about environmental protection and survival. Its significant coral community and the health of its habitats and species despite its high temperature and salinity levels make the island of keen scientific interest. Bu Tinah is host to critical marine habitats containing internationally important species, as well as other charismatic wildlife. Seabirds such as the flamingo and the osprey, diverse species of dolphins, and the critically endangered turtles including hawksbills and greens can all be found in and around Bu Tinah. The island's waters are also home to the planet's second-largest population of dugongs, a large marine mammal that is globally threatened. Bu Tinah Island, rich in biodiversity, lies within the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve. The Biosphere reserve is the region's first and largest UNESCO-designated marine biosphere reserve. Closed to visitors, fishing and the collection of turtle eggs are prohibited on Bu Tinah Island. Its continued survival and protection must be ensured.
Anyway, for sure it's interesting, but it is not really getting the votes. Of the 14, Bu Tinah features in the bottom 7. Back in March when the campaign was launched, Dhs28m was being thrown behind the campaign, but that doesn't seem to have done the trick. Despite voting boots all over Abu Dhabi and now even at the airport, the campaign doesn't seem to have gone viral. This should have been an online viral campaign. Maybe Shakira singing hip shaking and singing "Bu Tinah, Bu Tinah". Just saying. There's still time though, so perhaps Abu Dhabi will have a new 7 wonder and not just a 7 star wonder.
Here's your reason 7 reasons to vote:
7 Reasons to Vote for Bu Tinah Island
1. Coral Reefs: Their survival, despite the harsh environment, has given researchers insight into coral reef survival elsewhere in the world in the face of global warming.
2. Natural Mangroves: They reach an average height of 5 metres and support wildlife including birds, fish and crustaceans.
3. Hawksbill Turtles: Every year, these critically endangered species arrive to Bu Tinah Island to nest.
4. Dugongs: These threatened species are often spotted swimming among the Island's extensive seagrass meadows. They have been able to live without disturbance in a clean natural sanctuary, thanks to EAD's management of the marine biosphere reserve.
5. Dolphins: The Indo-pacific humpback, bottlenose and common dolphins swim around the Island.
6. Ospreys: Bu Tinah Island is a major breeding site for this globally important bird.
7. Socotra Cormorants: Bu Tinah Island is a roost site for about 20,000-25,000 of these birds.
19 Countries in the World with 20 Million people in the 21 st century
That's what the study is about. It's a supercity study. Will Dubai or Abu Dhabi reach that level of size? No. But, the people in charge are so impressed by what's going on in Abu Dhabi that it's being considered part of this ongoing study:
With a population of under 1million, Abu Dhabi City falls short of the population target of the original program. However, in a partnership led by Wurman, Radical Media of New York, and ESRI, the Emirate became involved in the 19.20.21. program. Late last year, landscape architect Jack Dangermond, the founder and president of ESRI visited Abu Dhabi. "[Dangermond] met with top leaders of the government and has been very impressed at the rate of progress," said Abdul Karim, executive manager, Geographic Information System, Abu Dhabi Systems & Information Centre (ADSIC). "He requested Abu Dhabi to have a large presence at the [ESRI] conference to share Abu Dhabi's experience with other attendees."Both the Emirate and the program partners agree that much can be learned by examining different sizes and types of cities. "Abu Dhabi is seen as a unique showcase for a rapidly growing smaller-sized but cosmopolitan city," said Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, director general of ADSIC.
For those of you that haven't been, this is a nice teaser of actually being there. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque, or Grand Mosque is our top recommendation of things to do in Abu Dhabi.
Back in the late 1990s, when the UAE was starting its ascent into world stardom, companies were being set up to take advantage of the lack of data to provide intelligence on such projects. Dubai was the focus up to the mid noughties, but from 2009 onwards, all the focus has been on the new construction projects in Abu Dhabi that come to fruition 2010, 2011 and 2012. There are numerous markets for this information. End consumers and speculators are interested in the property market to see if they can make a quick buck. I'm afraid that will probably not happen this time round as Abu Dhabi cements itself as a long play. The obvious market for this data are the construction and infrastructure companies themselves who are interested in tender lists for both major infrastructure projects and for new construction projects. The problem with these developments is mapping and location - non local companies want a map of development projects to assess scale, synergy and saving. Unless you are local, companies find it difficult to pitch value of the project in question to determine viability. And, in some instances whole areas are being rebranded with Al Gharbia being a prime example. The third market is for the job seeker. Many look to earn their riches for a few years before settling down. We would never hope to be a MEED company offering intelligence and data, but while the market is buoyant, I am sure there are many pretenders. We have started to put together a list of Abu Dhabi projects at a glance to reflect the higher profile projects that are currently in the offing. We have tried to keep it topical, but no doubt it's already out of date! And at some point in time someone will use this as a reference to cancelled projects in Abu Dhabi. Let's hope not!
