Londons Millennium Bridge Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Londons Millennium Bridge - Case Study Example Seeking to understand the development of London's Millennium Bridge, this research paper will provide a brief description of the history and development of London's Millennium Bridge. Following this, we will provide a survey of the literature on the project, with a particular emphasis on the sustainability of the project today and into the future. A short analysis of the costs, benefits and risks associated with the project will follow and we will conclude with a broad overview of the issues studied with respect to one of the most controversial construction projects in London in recent memory, the building of the Millennium Bridge (Architects, 2000; Steves, 2006). Opening in the summer of 2000, London's Millennium Bridge was welcomed as an architectural wonder but also received its fair share of controversy in the initial days after its unveiling. As a steel suspension bridge which crosses the river Thames, London's Millennium Bridge provides a pedestrian link to the City of London and Backside. Competition for the erection of a major bridge began in earnest four years prior to the unveiling and was the subject of a competition created by the Southwark city council. With a total length of 235 meters, the winning entry was the "Blade of Light" design by architects Arup, Foster and Partners in conjunction with Sir Anthony Caro. This bridge received a fair bit of controversy, when after its unveiling the bridge reportedly rocked back and forth and scared pedestrians who were crossing it. It subsequently was nicknamed the Wobbly Bridge and was closed for two years following this unexpected occurrence. The following will chart the development of t his majestic, yet controversial bridge. Once a decision had been made as to would obtain the contract for London's Millennial Bridge, Blade of Light architects Arup, Foster and Partners in conjunction with Sir Anthony Caro began construction in earnest. While development began earlier, construction started in 1998 and continued up until the official opening on June 2000. This was London's first new Thames crossing in more than a century and London's Millennial Bridge was built to the tune of '18m. Accordingly, nearly half of the funds were donated by the Millennium Commission. The specifications of the bridge included a total length of 330m, a width of 4m, a handrail height of 1.2m and the height above river at high tide standing at 10.8m. Created from concrete and steel piers with cables stretching 120mm of locked coil, the decking was in aluminum while the bridge's handrail was created from bead blast stainless steel (BBC, 2009). Opened by the Queen on June 10, 20001, the Millennial Bridge used "lateral suspension" - an engineering innovation that allows suspension bridges to be built without tall supporting columns. The designers predicted it would be a "blade of light" across the Thames, "an absolute statement of our capabilities at the beginning of the 21st century". Within days they closed it to the public (BBC, 2009). Closed for two years, the modifications undertaken between 2000 and 2002

English Application Essays Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

English Application Essays - Essay Example It would be an honor to be taught by such conversant and intellectual set of professors. The campus offers numerous recreation and fitness centers that can become good sources of relaxation after extensive hours of studies. I have always been an active member in extra-curricular activities and clubs; I aspire to continue such activities and shall contribute my role in the progression of the clubs. I believe that one can expect better results from something that is achieved as an outcome of group efforts and team work. The accumulation of different forms of opinions and ideas induces a touch of innovativeness and uniqueness in every endeavor. It is due to this belief that I am contented with the idea of my friends going in the same program. I am excited to study with these individuals and new classmates since they might even become my colleagues in the workplaces in the future. I think that our team work and research can contribute towards the development of the chosen domain of knowl edge and play our part in earning a name for the esteemed University of Ohio. My friends define me as a people’s person who loves meeting new people. The concept of getting familiar with different customs, traditions and culture of the world excites me. It is due to the passion for cultural diversity that I have chosen Ohio University. Ohio University celebrates cultural diversity rather than promoting exclusion. I admire such ideologies and feel that I shall be able to progress more in an environment that is run by such like-minded people. Therefore, I hope you will allow me to pursue my education in the desired business school- Fisher College. Essay 2 I bear great passion for travelling and meeting new people. The nature of my family business has granted me the opportunity to visit numerous countries of the world, thereby giving me the chance of experiencing various forms of cultures and traditions on firsthand basis. Such experiences have made me realize the value of inclu sion of perspectives from all sorts of cultures and origins. I believe that tolerance and acceptance of other people’s ideas induces an element of innovation in one’s work. Tim Berners Lee, the man who invented the World Wide Web, stated that â€Å"we need diversity of thought in the world to face the new challenges†. I aim to promote inclusion and tolerance for other cultures in my endeavors to play my role in safeguarding the traditions of multiculturalism of University of Colorado. Team work and mutual support bear great importance in an academic life since it bears numerous challenging instances and stressful routines. Acceptance of cultural diversity removes barriers among individuals and promotes the spirit of team work and mutual cooperation. I aspire to become a team player who will seek to work together with others to increase his domain of knowledge, as well as to play his part in earning a commendable name for the University of Colorado. Individuals w ho value team work spirit tend to benefit in their professional lives as well; therefore, I believe that my culturally rich experience at University of Colorado will prove to be advantageous for my professional life. Competition is also an integral part of any academic life; healthy competition can prove to be a valuable lesson since it prepares one for the professional life ahead. Exposure to multicultural lifestyles from my childhood