Gonu: The Wave?

[yssbahri]

Any news about the wave investment decision, are they going to continue, is there any contingent plannigs already in file for the Wave if they decide to continue, as this investment is seen to be a risky one after the Gonu storm.

[muscati]

Email sent by The Wave on June 12:



<em>Following the events of the last few days we are sure you would appreciate some news from The Wave, Muscat.



As most would know, Muscat was hit by Tropical Cyclone Gonu last Wednesday, causing severe damage to the city, mainly from the ensuing flood waters following approximately 18 hours of driving rains. Nearby areas such as Gubbrah, Al Hail and parts of Seeb suffered major flooding and damage. Parts of the old city were badly hit.



We are pleased to be able to advise you that our site and building works suffered little damage. The building program resumed on the 9th of June 2007, 3 days after the event, although it is not yet at full pace.



None of the filled land flooded and the reclaimed area was undamaged. Despite the cyclonic conditions the surge did not cross the line of dunes, and the show apartments, which are right on the beach, were untouched save for some minor water leakage through the temporary air conditioning system.



The Sales Centre is only out of action due to lack of power. We cannot reopen until we have installed a generator (not easy to find in Muscat at this point) to operate equipment ultimately the air conditioning and computer system. We anticipate this will be concluded in the next few days, allowing us to open for normal business on or around the 16th of June 2007.



The site office is undamaged and is operational.



All in all, this has been a minor interruption in terms of the development of The Wave. However, some of our staff members have suffered severe damage to their homes and property, as have many of the citizens and residents of Oman. There has been significant loss of life and our condolences and sympathies are extended to all who have suffered such loss.



We have, and are, assisting with the relief efforts where appropriate. To this end, some of our equipment is being used in the general clean up of Muscat. We know you will understand this. We will email you again in the near future with further news.</em>

[SpirVision]

Not bad news, stil going great!

[niceguy]

Who gives a crap about what happened now. People should think about what could happen in the future.



Still think these are the most opintless project yet in Oman. Don't know why they have to just do exactly what other countries are doing and build in the sea. Makes little sense considering the amount of land Oman has. Unfortunately there no one creative enough to think of better ways to build "with the environment" which is why we see the whole of Oman with mountain cut-up like they mean nothing.

[SpirVision]

Did you puff tufah ten lately? Try zakhroury or abu basha it pumps good <img src="/fusionbb/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" /> I promise

[Chakubang]

Niceguy has a valid point - in that impacts on the environment et al need to be evaluated. I am not saying it was ignored here - I don't know the details.



There is a lot of noise/disapproval about Dubai's projects - adverse impact on the marine ecosystem.



In the case of Oman, and Muscat in particular, one of the beauties and attractions has been the development keeping the hills intact to a large extent and building around them. Whenever I have had to describe Muscat to people, it has always been around the hills right in town, the publicly accessible beaches and sea within 10 mins of most places the low-rise buildings.



This description is now changing and not for the better! It is important to have economic development driven by market forces limited governmental intervention/regulation - I am a capitalist. However, most of the countries who have done that also have robust mechanisms that provide oversight to mitigate the risks of short-term gains that impact the longer-term interests of the society.



Lastly, reclaiming the land for this project - not sure whether they are really doing that - Muscati and others who have good, accurate info can validate. If reclamation is involved, I think it is a shame - because Muscat has so much unused land even near the sea.

[AL_NAAMANI]

I agree with Niceguy.



Aren't they going to also discuss the death of some of their workmen at the site during the cyclone? 40 was what I heard.

[muscati]

Projects like The Wave, even though they are built on the sea side, still need to use land reclamation because they need to maximize the number of ocean view or sea front properties. That's why they go for designs where part of the project protrudes to the sea. In case of The Wave, the majority of the project will not be on reclaimed land, but the apartments, marina and the shopping area surrounding the marine are in the reclaimed area.

[AL_NAAMANI]

We have more than 1500 kilometres of beautiful and serene coastline.

[muscati]

You can have a million miles. But when it comes to developing a project wherever you want to sell the maximum number of houses with sea views your option is to either spread out alongside the sea and get a very wide area, or do what they're doing these days by reclaiming land from the and increasing the area with sea views. What's being done in The Wave is quite mild in comparison to what's happening in Dubai with projects like the palm islands.

[niceguy]

That's the problem... I know sea views have become cliche, but that's not the only type of view one can enjoy.



Actually it's one of the most expensive views when you compare maintenance costs.



Why can't Oman think of something more creative that has them building in mountains for example, albeit without slashing them in half. It's not impossible and raised altitude views can be just as spectacular. All you need is a little creative thinking. It has become obvious over the years that no one in Oman; cares, knows how, wants to do this. Which is sad.

[Reborn]

I say leave the mountains alone. Cutting up mountains can cause a lot more harm than good, cos they are supposed to maintain the earth's gravitational balance. Also, Oman's mountains are primarily rocky, how on earth are you going to make them habitable? Not that I favour all that land reclamation and stuff.

[niceguy]

You don't need to cut mountains to build around it. It's called environmental architecture. You build WITh the environment not against it.



I am the one trying to explain how Oman is only cutting up mauntains for everything, I am NOT advocating it.

[AL_NAAMANI]

Good point niceguy. It also what they do in Kenya. To build hotels in the forests they dont cut down trees...infact they build on the trees and around the trees. This is very scenic and it pulls in alot of tourists. I think we can do this as well. It might expensive but in the long run it is environmentally friendly.

[Reborn]

I wasn't making a point against you niceguy, just making a general observation and you're right...you could do a lot more going along with nature.