Rory Hyde examines why a government advisor from the UAE might look to Adelaide as a precedent for Abu Dhabi.
“Culturally, contextually, climatically and politically these cities could not be more distinct. Even within Australia, Adelaide is a joke, better known for its bizarre murders than as a model of exemplary urbanism. It is not a world-class destination listed alongside New York, Paris, London or Tokyo. Nor is it a so-called ‘livable city’, ranking unremarkably at no. 38 in the Mercer index. Admittedly it is higher than Abu Dhabi at 88, but why not aim for Vienna? Aside from lowering expectations, what could Adelaide possibly stand to offer?”
Hyde finds trade links, AFL teams and the home towns of large urban design practitioners as possible clues.
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