According to Constructionweeklyonline, as reported Dynamic Architecture Group, London has pipped Dubai as location of the world's first rotating tower, with construction expected to begin this year. The company also reported, that they would announce the start of construction on the first building in motion in London in due time, most probably within this year. As reported Reuters in 2008, Dynamic Architecture Group planned to build so-called dynamic towers -- prefabricated sun - and wind-powered skyscrapers that will keep changing shape as each floor rotates around a central axis -- in Moscow and Dubai by the end of 2010, but this two projects are still on papers only. A 70-floor building has received planning approval for Moscow, and an 80-floor building in Dubai is awaiting approval. Instead of just one revolving floor, like other buildings around the world, every floor in Fisher's towers will rotate. Russian real estate developer Mirax Group is behind the Moscow tower, while the planned Dubai building is backed by Fisher's Rotating Tower Technology Company. The towers are expected to generate enough electricity for themselves and other nearby buildings from solar panels and wind turbines fitted horizontally between each floor. People who own an entire floor will be able to simply speak to control the rotation, with speeds varying from an hour to three hours for each full rotation. The building, designed by architect David Fisher, was due to produce 80 pre-fabricated floors that would spin independently of each other and take between one and three hours to make a complete rotation. The tower was due to include 20 floors of retail, 15 for a hotel and 45 floors of residential apartments.

As reported by information agency APA, Azerbaijan plans to build the world's tallest tower within the framework of Caspian Island project. Initially, the height of Azerbaijan Tower planned to be 560 meters, but parameters were changed. The developer of Caspian Island Avesta concern decided that the high of 185 floors tower to be 1050 meters, and it will be commissioned in 2018-2019. According to another news agency The First News, the construction of Caspian Island in Azerbaijan, which will be erected on artificial made islands, has already started. This project will be built during 25 years. The 10 percent of the whole project is planned to complete in 2016. It should be noted, that the minimum cost for one square meter in this city will be about US$ 4.5 thousand. The new city will cover 30 thousand square meters area - 20 thousand for residential buildings, 10 thousand for retail stores, offices, stadiums, entertainment venues, race circuits for Formula 1 and Formula 2, etc. The developer plans to build the longest boulevard in the world with 150 kilometers length and the highest skyscraper with 1050 meters height in this city. There are no intersections planned in this city, so no need for traffic lights. The total budget of this project is estimated US$ 125 billion, and it will be funded by private investors. According to author, this project has no analogue in the world, as the city planned to be built on artificial island. However, the Baku experiment isn't unique and new. There are enough "island projects" in UAE and other countries. As BBC reported, according to Barclays Capital research, there is an "unhealthy correlation" between the building of skyscrapers and subsequent financial crashes. Often the world's tallest buildings are simply the edifice of a broader skyscraper building boom, reflecting a widespread misallocation of capital and an impending economic correction. Examples include the "Empire State building", built as the "Great Depression" was under way, and the current world's tallest, the "Burj Khalifa", built just before Dubai almost went bust. Today the world's tallest building is Burj Khalifa in United Arab Emirates (828 meters). UAE also planned to build 1400-meters tall "Nakheel tower", but its construction was delayed. The 1000-meters tall skyscraper is also planned to be built in Kuwait in City of Silk. Saudi Arabia also plans to build more than a kilometer high Kingdom tower in Jeddah. But now all this "oil country" projects are on the paper only, and a big question is - which one will take the Champion title from Dubai's Giant?

Tokyo Sky Tree is on target to be the tallest structure in Japan upon completion in the spring of 2012, reported constructiondigital. Located in the Narihirabashi/Oshiage part of the Sumida Ward of Tokyo, the Tokyo Sky Tree broadcasting tower will soar nearly 634 meters into the sky, making it one of the tallest in the world and an icon of Japan. Designed by Nikken Sekkei, the tower, which resembles a large tree, will serve as a hub for the country's digital terrestrial broadcasting network. Additionally, the structure features two observation decks and is designed to withstand Japan's frequent earthquakes as well as strong winds. Though many may see this as Japan's way of getting in the race for the world's tallest structure, the height of the Tokyo Sky Tree serves an important function-it improves the towers ability to send the broadcasting signals over the tall skyscrapers of Tokyo. The base of the tower resembles a tripod. The three 'legs' anchor the structure to the ground. As it rises, the structure begins to curve around a central tube into the sky. Observatory levels at 350 meters and 450 meters allow visitors to have panoramic views of the urban landscape. The lower level will feature restaurants and retail opportunities. Japan isn't a stranger to earthquakes and strong storms. As a result, architects must design structures with disaster prevention features to withstand movement from above and below. Taking inspiration from the traditional Japanese pagoda, the tower relies on a central column for stability. According to the architects, "this system counters swaying set in motion by earthquake tremors and strong winds, ensuring a safe and reliable structure." The Obayashi Corporation is serving as the general contractor on the Tokyo Sky Tree project.

Germany's Porsche design Group and a local developer Dezer Properties planned to built Porsche Tower in Miami, reported the Trulia. A US$ 560 million project, a 57-storey building will rise in Sunny Isles Beach. According to Moscow Sotheby's International Realty in December project was approved by the city authorities. It is the world's first condominium complex with elevators that will take residents directly to their units while they are sitting in their cars (however we wrote about the same type going building). Finding a parking space near their front door will no longer be a worry for anyone lucky enough to live in the new multimillion pound. They can just pull into a designated space, turn off the engine and sit back and enjoy the oceanfront view as they are escalated in a glass elevator to the front door of their apartment. After the resident pulls over and switches off the engine, a robotic arm that works like an automatic plank will scoop up the car and put it into the elevator. The glass elevators will give residents and their guests unparalleled views of the city or of the ocean during their high-speed ride, expected to last 45 to 90 seconds. The luxury building will be constructed on 9 thousand square meters of land on Collins Avenue. It will have 132 units, with smaller units being allocated two parking spaces and the larger ones, four, and 284 robotic parking spaces in total accessible via three elevators. Apartments will range from 350 to 880 square meters and are expected to cost up to US$ 9 million each.

As reported by english.chosen.com, this week construction began on the Yongsan Landmark Tower, which is expected to be the most expensive building in the world once it is completed, standing 100 stories tall and rising half a kilometer into the sky. The tower is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016. Scheduled to be built in Seoul, inside the international business district in Yongsan, the tower will not quite measure up to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai (162 stories, 828 meters) or the Lotte Super Tower being built in Jamsil (123 stories, 555 meter), but it will be the most expensive building per square unit. At present, each 1 square meter costs around US$ 3,150. The total construction cost is US$ 1.2 billion and the entire price tag for the building, including the land, stands at more than US$ 3.4 billion. It is more expensive than the Burj Khalifa, which cost around US$ 3,000 million per 1 square meter and costs 40 percent more than the Samsung Group headquarters in Seocho-dong, which cost US$ 2,400 per 1 square meter. Design alterations and the use of more high-tech materials could bump the price tag up further. The skyscraper will be packed with cutting-edge equipment and facilities. The structure was designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano, who created the Pompidou Center in Paris and London Bridge Tower. Samsung Corporation, which also served as the main contractor on the Burj Khalifa and Taipei 101 (101 stories, 508 meters), the latter in Taiwan, will build the new architectural landmark in Yongsan. It will house the offices of global businesses and will offer a wide range of high-tech functions. First of all, the skyscraper will be equipped with the fastest elevators in the world that travel at 800 meters per minute, more than six times faster than the lifts installed in high-rise condominiums in Korea (120 m/min). In order to withstand the staggering weight of 100 stories of steel and concrete, ultra-high intensity concrete will be used to build the skyscraper, capable of supporting up to 800 kg per square cm.