PROGRESSIVE CITIES

I love the walk along the Dubai Creek in the evening.  The cool breeze and sea water smell is really an enjoyable experience.  While I was walking along the creek I was thinking about the development of Dubai over the last few decades.  The abra (small motor boat with seating capacity of 20 persons) used to be the mode of transport for people in the olden days and it continues to serve as a transport between Diera and Bur Dubai.

Over the years the Government has developed other ways of crossing the creek - Shindagah tunnel, Makhtoum Bridge, Garhoud Bridge and Business Bay Crossing.  The creek actually adds to the beauty of the city and signifies progress.

Apart from Dubai there are several other cities which have a Creek or River in the middle and I found all those to be Progressive Cities like Dubai.

London is a very progressive city and the central part of London and great attraction is the River Thames.

New York is another progressive city which is bustling with activity all the 24 hours of the day.  The Hudson River adds to the beauty of the City and is a very important element of New York City.

I have visited both London and New York and admired the River that runs through the city.

Melbourne in Australia has been named the "Most Liveable City" in the world for the last two years and is a very progressive city too.  The Yarra River is a major attraction for Melbourne as the city extends along the Yarra River.

I have never been to Melbourne and hope to visit soon.

Toronto is the largest city in Canada and is located on the banks of River Ontario and is fortunate to be intersected by three Rivers, viz., "Humber River", "Rouge River and "Don River".

Paris is the most sought after destination for tourists travelling to Europe.  It is another progressive city in the world as is also the largest city in France.  Paris is located on the north bending arc of "River Seine".

Rome is another progressive city which is also a very well sought after tourist destination.  Rome is on the banks of "Tiber River".

Moscow is a beautiful city with lot of architectural wonders like the Red Square.  Moscow is on the banks of the "River Moskva".  The rivers runs right across the city and there are 49 bridges over the river in the city.

These progressive cities have used the River/Creek very effectively and made it as the most important and integral part of the City Development.  I hail from Chennai in India and we have two beautiful rivers running through the city, viz., Cooum River and Adyar River but both the rivers are totally neglected and have become large open drainage for the City.

I wish they beautify these two rivers and bring further progress and prosperity to my dear Chennai.



T.P.Anand
Dubai, U.A.E.

21st October 2012