The grand designer

When asked to select his favourite building. Sir Norman Foster chose a Jumbo jet. His own buildings frequently borrow materials and technology developed by the aerospace industry. Perhaps his most famous buildings is the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, a massive construction of three linked towers 41 stories high. His most ambitious European project has been the reconstruction of the Reichstag as the new German parliament building. he has also built a metro system in Bilbao, and two space-age communications towers in Barcelona and Santiago de Compostela.

Foster believes in the vertical city, an architect’s dream that began a hundred years ago and is still waiting to be fully realized. He says that the city is in a continuous process of renewal; If buildings cannot adapt to social or technological change, Then unless they are outstanding, they should be replaced. It’s all about balancing the past and the future.

One of Foster’s recent challenges has been to re-design part of a famous London Landmark, Trafalgar Square. Aiming to reduce pollution and improve safety by re-routing traffic away from the north side of the square, he has created an impressive pedestrian area in front of the National Gallery and transformed Trafalgar Square into a truly grand urban space.

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Beijing is a great city in Asia

Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China. Part of its borders is formed by the Great Wall of China, a huge wall which stretches along the mountains. Although it is only the second largest city in China, it has a population of over 10 millions people and is still growing.

In 1421 Beijing became the imperial capital of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and it was during this time that the spacious walled city is built. Like many ancient cities, the walls and streets were based on the points of the compass. Within the walls was the imperial City and within that the Forbidden City, where ordinary people were not allowed to enter. Beijing has reminded the capital of china since then.

Among the many historical and cultural landmarks in Beijing is Tienanmen Square, is one of the largest public squares in the world.it is used for political rallies and military parades. On the west side of the square is The Great Hall of the people, where the national People’s Congress meets.to the south is the massive Memorial Hall of the chairman Mao, which was built to hold the remains of the founder of Communist China, Mao Tse Tung.

Today, Beijing’s broad, straight streets are crowded with people, bicycles and streets. Very few people own a car. Industries include textiles, petrochemicals, steel and engineering; it is also a city of great cultural importance. There are more than fifty institutes of higher education, including Beijing and Qinghua University. It has a famous opera, a ballet and some outstanding museums. With its modern international airport, it is not surprising that Beijing has become a popular tourist destination.

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