It will also have a new Thames Barrier that will extend the protection of riverside lands against floods. Designed by Foster and Partners in cooperation with British planners, builders and economists, I don’t know if this should be considered a glorious idea or the megalomaniac dream of a comic book villain. Foster says that the United Kingdom needs “to recapture the foresight and political courage of our 19th-century forebears if we are to establish a modern transport and energy infrastructure in Britain for this century and beyond.” Perhaps they should invade India again too. Foster claims that it could be done, just like they “were able to build a major new international airport and all the associated infrastructure including a new island reclaimed from the sea within four years.”
Maybe he is right. All I know is that I love to look at cross sections of giganormous engineering works. Enjoy. [Fosters + Partners]
5432
Friday, November 4, 2011 at 6:56 AMWhat, heathrow isn’t good enough even after their new terminal?
Koppenflak
Friday, November 4, 2011 at 8:39 AMHeathrow is one of the worst airports in the world and suffers from having never been properly planned for expansion. It’s even worse when you consider Gatwick can’t keep up with the demand. This is the kind of cool thing I wish Australia would consider.
R
Friday, November 4, 2011 at 8:56 AMWhat? Trains into Europe?
Captain Picard
Friday, November 4, 2011 at 9:10 AM+1
Chris
Friday, November 4, 2011 at 10:09 AMYes but that would mean spending money, and money has to be raised which requires debt and that politicians can’t do as thanks to little Johnny and the media the Australian people think that debt is bad and can’t vote for a party that creates debt even if it is to pay for a vital infrastructure project that will benefit all and make money for the country including paying itself off.
Paul
Friday, November 4, 2011 at 11:25 AM+1
The Joker
Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 10:29 PMLittle Johnny had Australia’s debt paid off with 17 billion to go and spend on infrastructure but then all the stupid voters put labor in and now we have nothing to show for 40 billion debt again. You cant live on credit. At some point you have to pay the bills. Do you think you can buy a house but never pay for it.?
Andrew
Friday, November 4, 2011 at 8:56 AM” Perhaps they should invade India again too. Foster claims that it could be done, just like they “were able to build a major new international airport and all the associated infrastructure including a new island reclaimed from the sea within four years.” ”
Haha, this doesn’t read that well.. unless you meant that Foster thinks that Britain could invade India again? :P
Captain Picard
Friday, November 4, 2011 at 9:13 AMThis would be cool, however I doubt it will be done any time soon, Britain isn’t exactly flush with cash at the moment, what with the Olympics and all. Hope they do it down the track anyway though!
olearymo
Friday, November 4, 2011 at 9:31 AMAt least they’re planning things.
“What’s high speed rail!?” – Australia.
Matt L
Friday, November 4, 2011 at 9:55 AMIt’s about time we get high speed rail in Australia. Our ADSL2 speeds suck.
yrrnn
Friday, November 4, 2011 at 10:24 AMWe don’t need it. Wireless rail is good enough.
Jimmy
Friday, November 4, 2011 at 9:54 AMWhile I would love to see this type of infrastructure and technology in Australia, there are only 22million of us. There are more people in LA alone. I Just don’t think we can produce enough revenue as a whole to pay for things like this. Which sucks because I would take 450kph trains over flying easy :)
Marcus
Friday, November 4, 2011 at 11:02 AMThese take me back to those illustrated childrens books from the 70s and 80s that showed us what life would be like living on the moon. Or on Mars. Bit sad that this is as ambitious as we get now days. But still probably the most inspiring things I’ve seen for a while. Where did all the big ideas go?
Scott
Friday, November 4, 2011 at 11:16 AM“Designed by Foster and Partners” ….. why am i not surprised….
TSH
Friday, November 4, 2011 at 11:38 AMAustralia is in something of a unique position as far as developed nations go, so comparing our infrastructure projects with those in Europe, Asia or the Americas is no simple matter.
I do think that Australia could use more and better transport infrastructure, but not for high-speed commuter rail. For better or worse our economy still relies almost totally on primary production exports. Currently the bottleneck in this area lies in the rail network and ports infrastructure.
Fix this up and the increased capacity for trade will provide money for other projects.
Friends of the North Kent Marshes
Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 10:21 AMThis “sophisticated doodle” is not supported by the UK government or the aviation industry. It is merely a self-funded, self-promoting study by Foster + Partners. The fanciful imaginings of Lord Foster or as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds so succinctly puts it “… the glossy and lavishly illustrated concept that exists only to waste scarce time and resources countering the benefits with a sober assessment of the costs.” Economically, environmentally and ecologically it is a complete non- starter.