Dubai was the world's best performing real estate market during 2013 with price growth nudging 35 percent, Knight Frank has revealed in a new report. The Knight Frank Global House Price Index showed mainstream property prices in the emirate rose by 34.8 percent during the last 12 months. Although the increase slowed slightly in the last six months to 15.3 percent, Knight Frank said prices in Dubai were still 25 percent below their 2008 peak. Globally, the Knight Frank Global House Price Index rose by 8.4 percent in 2013, with 11 markets including China, the US and Turkey registering double digit growth last year. Ukraine, Croatia and Greece were the weakest-performing housing markets in 2013, Knight Frank said, adding that house prices rose in 39 countries of the 56 covered, compared with 27 in 2012. Several emerging markets, despite their economic wobble in 2013, still recorded a strong performance. Turkey, Brazil, Indonesia and Colombia were ranked in the top 10 in terms of annual price growth, each having recorded double digit growth. Europe continued to dominate the lower half of the table but the rate of decline slowed in countries such as France, Spain and the Netherlands.

According to local mass media the first eco-friendly mosque in Islamic world is 85 percent complete and is set to open its doors to worshippers shortly. The eco-friendly mosque would be the largest of its kind in Dubai, spreading across 9750 square meters with a built-up area of 4200 square meters. The mosque can accommodate 3,500 worshippers. The project, which will be located near the Deira Clock Tower, aims to achieve the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification for conformance to the sustainability requirements of the US Green Building Council (USGBC). The mosque integrates renewable energy solutions in its design. This is illustrated in the exterior lighting poles that are fitted with solar panels, battery storage system that is powered by solar energy, and the use of solar panels instead of energy-draining electric heaters for the purpose of water heating. The use of energy-saving LED lights over regular bulbs, and a control system that automatically switches on the lights to correspond with prayer times or in the presence of an individual in the hall are some of the other eco-friendly solutions integrated into the design of the mosque. In addition to daylight sensors in the extension of the mosque, a climate control system has also been installed to regulate the air-conditioning units according to prayer times and the number of worshippers. Among other solutions used is thermal insulation in the building material for roofs and exterior walls to reduce heat transfer, and double-glazed windows with metal coating to minimize the intensity of solar radiation into the mosque. Technologically advanced equipment has also been installed for improving indoor air quality and the performance of the air-conditioning system. Last year Turkey also announced plans to build world's first eco mosque, which will use green technologies, for example solar and wind power to produce electricity.

Japan's tallest building will opened in Osaka, as Asia's third-biggest metropolitan economy aims to lure tourists and stem businesses from moving to Tokyo. Kintetsu Corporation, one of the main rail operators in western Japan, spent US$1.3 billion and 4 years constructing the 300-meter "Abeno Harukas" skyscraper. Abeno Harukas took the tallest building mantle from Landmark Tower, a 296-meter high rise housing offices, shops and a hotel in Yokohama city. < br/> The new 60-floor complex, which includes a Marriott International Inc. hotel, and a separate proposal for a US$ 4.9 billion casino resort are the latest attempts to bolster the city's economy. The observation deck "Harukas 300" is located around the 288-meter level and runs from the 58th to the 60th floors. It is the second-highest observation deck in Japan after Tokyo Sky Tree's deck located at about 450 meters above ground. Visitors are able to see as far away as Kyoto and Kobe.

It was revealed, that the Dubai Municipality will build a sustainable residential city for Emirate residents, powered by solar energy. The future for Dubai seems bright and eco-friendly as Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai ruler and the UAE's Vice President and Prime Minister, was briefed on the new residential project, 'Dubai Smart Sustainable City'. The project will be built close by to the Al Aweer Roundabout in Dubai and accommodate around 160,000 people over a total area of 5660 hectares. The city will be "completely sustainable" according to Dawood Al Hajeri, manager of planning and engineering sector department. It will produce 200 megawatts from solar panels covering the roofs of residential units and other buildings in its area. The city will recycle over 40,000 cubic meters of water, and that it will be fully sustainable and self-supporting in terms of its resources, transport and most importantly its energy. The work on the 'Dubai Smart Sustainable City' will start immediately and is expected to finish by Dubai's expo time of 2020.

Hollywood studio DreamWorks Animation will partner with the company behind the London Eye Ferris wheel for a Shrek-themed attraction on the capital's South Bank. Shrek's Far-Far Away Adventure will be one of six similar sites across the globe. The attraction is due to open in summer 2015 and will celebrate the four-film animated fantasy saga about a grumpy green ogre that has so far taken more than US$ 3.5 billion at the worldwide box office, as well as other films from DreamWorks Animation. "The 1860 square meters experience will be based on a brand-new adventure being written by the DreamWorks team," said the studio and partner Merlin in a statement. "It will feature a Shrek interactive walk-through adventure, a character courtyard where visitors will be able to meet Shrek and his swamp friends, along with characters from Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon." The attraction will be installed at County Hall, near the London Eye, the London Sea Life Aquarium and the London Dungeon, all of which are owned by Merlin. The theme park operator is the largest company of its kind in Europe. "We're excited to work with Merlin to build something that we think is going to be a singularly unique way to experience Shrek and his world," said DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg. "This attraction is going to be unlike anything that currently exists and will undoubtedly become a new type of destination for families." The London Shrek attraction will be the first to open, with a further five sites set to be built between now and 2023.