As reported by Inhabitat.com, last week South Korea inaugurated the world's first solar-powered and largest floating island on Hangang River in Seoul. With two more islands slated to open in September, the recently opened Viva is already drawing crowds en masse with its first-rate entertainment complex. The stunning structure includes a 700 seat convention hall, restaurants and arcades - all powered by solar energy. When the development is completed, the trio of islands will be linked together by twenty-three weather-proof chains. Seoul's man-made islands differ from those common to Dubai, which are constructed by building up sand on the ocean floor. Viva, and its satellite islands, instead float, and are buoyant on the river's surface. Should there be a flood, the islands while rise and fall with the water levels, rather than be flooded over. A high tech tracking system will alert a controller should the islands float too far from their home site, due to changing water levels. Supported by 24 giant airbags, Viva weighs in at 2,000 tons, but can support building facilities up to 6,400 tons. The island will be harnessed by chains to a 500 ton concrete block to keep it in place. The three story building which holds all facilities is covered with 54 square meters of solar panels, which produced 6 kilowatts of energy each day, providing the facilities below with electricity, and also illuminating the facades at night. The $83.9 million dollar government project includes the 3.2 thousand square meters Viva, 1.3 thousand square meters Vista and nearly 371 square meters Tera. Combined, they will host international conventions, water sports events, restaurants, cultural performances and exhibitions. All three islands should be open by late August 2011.

As reported news agency Xinhua, construction of a tunnel that will traverse Trola Mountain in southwestern Sichuan Province began on June 1. At an altitude of 4.24 to 4.38 kilometers, the Trola Mountain tunnel will be the world's highest on a highway. As part of Sichuan-Tibet Highway that links Chengdu, Sichuan in the east with Lhasa, Tibet in the west. The 7-kilometers tunnel will shorten travel time across the mountain from more than two hours to only about 10 minutes, construction manager Li Ming said. He also added that, workers must first build an approach that is 14.06 kilometers long on the east side of the mountain. The tunnel is scheduled to be completed in four years with an investment of $US173 million. The 2,415 thousand kilometers Sichuan-Tibet highway is considered one the world's most deadly as it traverses a dozen rivers and 14 mountains with altitudes of 4 to 5 kilometers. China has spent nearly $ US 21.6 billion on development of 188 key projects in Tibet between 2005 and 2010, and key among them are projects that link Tibet to the rest of China. And the governments of Sichuan and Tibet are planning to build more tunnels on several key mountains to improve traffic.

Paris unveiled the latest giant to grace its famous skyline, with the formal inauguration of France's tallest skyscraper, known as the "First Tower". At 21,000 tonnes, the First is more than twice as heavy as the French capital's tallest and most famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower, which nevertheless beats it for sheer height at 324 meters. The spire was born when developers stripped down and rebuilt the mighty Axa block in La Defense business quarter on the western edge of the city, adding 69 metres to send it soaring to 231 metres. Now, the tower tops the city's previous famously unloved tallest office block, the slab-like Tour de Montparnasse, which looms over the Left Bank at 210 metres tall. But, despite the triumph of its architecture, First has so far not proved a hit with tenants: Only half of its office space, 80,000 square metres spread over 52 floors, has so far been allocated. Building on the 300 million euro ($ 440 million) tower began in 2008. The first tenant, accountancy giant Ernst and Young, will move in during the second half of the year. But the highest tower title The First can lose in 2016. Government has issued a permit for construction of the Phare Tower (Lighthouse Tower) with 300 meters high also in region La Defense, which is scheduled to open in 2016.

According to Al Wasat newspaper of Bahrain, construction work of the causeway is expected to start before the end of 2011 and conclude in 2015. The total cost of Qatar-Bahrain Causeway, one of the longest bridges in the world, is likely to be in the tune of $5bn, which will be the largest amount of money spend on any causeway. Construction plans were delayed many times for new designs and amendments were introduced to the project. The causeway starts from Askar village located in the eastern side of Bahrain Island to Ras Ishairij in Qatar. The total cost is between $ 4,5-5,0bn and expected to rise to $5,5bn to meet the cost of new designs, construction materials and other development projects. Qatar-Bahrain causeway is of 40km length including four vehicle lanes and two railways. Consortium of Al Diyar Real Estate Company, Vinci Grand Projects, French Contracting Company, German Hochtief Company, Consolidated Contractors International Company in Greece and Middle East Dredging Company, will be in charge of construction work, the daily said. The causeway construction will help achieve economic integration and sustainable development between the two states. More investments from Qatar in terms of real estate and stock market will be attracted to revive business and development of eastern and south-east areas in Bahrain.

World's highest hotel Ritz-Carlton opened in Hong-Kong. The hotel housed in International Commerce Centre, city's tallest skyscraper and offering unrivalled panoramic views of the world famous Victoria Harbor. With 312 guest rooms, the hotel is situated on 102-118 floors. Inside, the Ritz-Carlton Hong- Kong exudes a chic, modern vibe in the restaurants and lobby areas, with a lot of sparkling decor and chandeliers, the main color themes being black, brown and beige. Visitors can expect to find facilities that include the highest bar in the world, and a top-floor pool that will feature a 19-metre ceiling-mounted LCD screen which swimmers can watch while enjoying the warmth of the heated water. The Ritz-Carlton will also be one of the most expensive places to stay in a city already packed with luxury hotels, with the rack rate starting at $770 a night for a deluxe room. A presidential suite price is reaching for $ 12.8 thousand. According to hotel management, they are taking luxury to new heights in every sense. As reported by experts, clients aren't happy living at extreme height, but Hong-Kong's hotel owners don't have other choice. The land is very expensive, so it is more profitable to build super high skyscrapers, than low-rise buildings. The highest hotel in the world was Park Hyatt so far, which is situated on 79-93 floors of Shanghai World Financial Center. But the highest hotel title Ritz-Carlton can lose in 2014, when the J-Hotel opens near the top of the 632 meter Shanghai Tower in mainland China. Watch Hotel PhotoTour