Dubai-based architecture firm ZNera Space has proposed a new type of contemporary symbol for the city: a green and natural landmark that serves as a “continuous metropolis” around Burj Khalifa. Dubbed “Downtown Circle,” the project features installing a giant ring-like structure of 550 meters in length around the world’s tallest free-standing structure.
The structure will “investigate how at this critical time in the country’s development, architects, and urban planners can move away from previous urban models of isolated skyscrapers, towards a more humane typology that seeks to emulate nature and create diverse public spaces.”
The project comes as a response to the continuous rise of the global population and how the fabric of urban centers is changing, especially in Dubai, where rapid urbanization drive has prompted rapid urban growth characterized by skyscrapers and sprawl. The 550-meter tall mega structure offers an alternative to the singular and unconnected high-rises in most metropolitan areas.
Pictown / ZNera

Pictown / ZNera

Pictown / ZNera
The structure’s diameter is 3 km. As it encircles the Burj Khalifa, it draws panoramic views and clean air from the Skypark, forming the development’s central spine. The large scale of the structure is broken down into smaller units to create a variety of spaces to serve public, commercial, and cultural programs. The project offers a variety of office and housing typ...