Latest news with #LibraryofAlexandria
NDTV
6 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
Why Is The Historic Egyptian City Of Alexandria Crumbling? Study Explains
The Egyptian port city of Alexandria is crumbling, with buildings collapsing due to rising sea levels, a study has found. The historic city, known for being the birthplace of Cleopatra and housing the ancient Library of Alexandria, has witnessed 280 buildings collapsing in the past 20 years, owing to coastal erosion. More than 7,000 buildings are currently at risk of collapsing, according to the study published in the journal Earth's Future. Between 2014 and 2020 alone, 86 buildings completely crumbled, and 201 partially collapsed across the 2,300-year-old city, resulting in 85 deaths. "Collapses correlate with areas undergoing chronic and severe shoreline erosion and sea level rise, accelerating seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers," the study highlighted. For the study, scientists collected data through site visits, government reports, news archives and statements from private construction companies. Afterwards, they combined satellite imagery with historical maps from 1887, 1959 and 2001 to track shoreline movement. Additionally, the researchers analysed isotopes in soil samples to examine the effects of seawater intrusion. They measured isotopes like B7, whose higher levels indicate stronger, more stable soil, while lower levels suggest erosion. The crumbling is caused by seawater intruding into the groundwater under the city. As the saltwater moves inland due to rising sea levels, it increases groundwater levels beneath buildings and erodes the soil. "The true cost of this loss extends far beyond bricks and mortar. We are witnessing the gradual disappearance of historic coastal cities, with Alexandria sounding the alarm. What once seemed like distant climate risks are now a present reality," study co-author Essam Heggy, a water scientist at the University of Southern California's Viterbi School of Engineering. The scientists have proposed a nature-based solution to combat coastal erosion and seawater intrusion. They suggest creating sand dunes and vegetation barriers along the coastline to block encroaching seawater and prevent seawater intrusion. This way, the groundwater levels will not be pushed into building foundations.
Mid East Info
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
Snøhetta's People and the Library of Alexandria exhibition is landing in Abu Dhabi 16 May 2025 - Middle East Business News and Information
Erth is proud to present People and the Library of Alexandria — an exhibition curated by global architecture and design group Snøhetta, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi-based creative studio Slash. The exhibition explores the life and legacy of the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina, one of Egypt's most iconic cultural landmarks, and highlights its deep, enduring ties to the UAE. The story of this landmark began in 1988 with a joint initiative between UNESCO and the Egyptian government to revive the ancient Library of Alexandria and features the lesser-known role of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Guided by his appreciation for literature and culture, he contributed one of the largest donations towards the project, helping take it from idea to reality. His support laid the groundwork for the New Bibliotheca Alexandrina's opening in 2002, marking a renaissance of this historic institution and reaffirming Egypt's commitment to knowledge, education, and cultural exchange. Today, the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina stands near the site of the ancient Library of Alexandria and is one of the largest libraries and cultural projects in the world — with nearly 6,000 square meters of hand-carved stone cladding and 5 million books in its collection. More than a public research library, it is a vibrant cultural hub, home to museums, exhibition spaces, educational centers, and more. Each year, it welcomes an average of 1,500 programs, lectures, and events, drawing close to a million visitors, many from younger generations. The exhibition, which is free and open to the public through booking, charts the Library's architectural journey from 1989 when Snøhetta, a then young and unknown practice, won the international UNESCO competition for the revival of the ancient Library — underlining Sheikh Zayed's pivotal role and the wider UAE connection in reimagining the ancient landmark for a new era. His vision and commitment to cultural exchange and heritage preservation not only reflected his belief in education and knowledge sharing but also inspired other leaders and nations to join the initiative, elevating the Library to a global symbol of collaboration. From this architectural legacy emerges a thread of personal stories, archival photographs, and interviews that capture the Library's profound social impact, told trough the voices of those who experience it. Every aspect of its existence — from its intricately carved stone facade to its programs and collaborations — speaks of human connection and shared experience, demonstrating how the New Bibliotheca Alexandrina continues to shape the lives of individuals and communities alike. The upcoming exhibition offers a tribute to this enduring narrative and celebrates the Library as a vibrant community hub, a sanctuary for learning, and a beacon of knowledge. Previously inaugurated at Snøhetta's Archive Gallery in Oslo, People and the Library of Alexandria is set to open on May 16th, 2025, at Erth, Abu Dhabi, and will run for three months. About Erth Abu Dhabi: Erth Abu Dhabi is a luxury hospitality and leisure destination in Abu Dhabi, combining traditional Emirati heritage with modern design. It offers a wide range of amenities, including luxury accommodation, world-class dining options, and extensive leisure facilities. The hotel stands out for its sports facilities, event venues, and lush landscapes, making it a preferred choice for both tourists and residents. Erth Abu Dhabi focuses on health, wellness, and cultural connection, often hosting events and exhibitions celebrating the UAE's history and values, attracting both leisure and business travelers. About Snøhetta: Snøhetta is an internationally acclaimed architecture and design firm renowned for its transdisciplinary approach, integrating architecture, landscape, interior design, product design, graphic design, and art. Founded in 1989, the firm gained global recognition with its winning design for the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt, a project that marked its commitment to creating meaningful and sustainable space. With headquarters in Oslo, Snøhetta operates studios in New York, Paris, Innsbruck, Adelaide, Melbourne, Hong Kong and Shenzhen, reflecting its global presence. The firm's portfolio includes notable projects such as the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet in Oslo, the National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion in New York, and the expansion of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. About Slash: Established in 1995, Slash is a multidisciplinary design studio based in Abu Dhabi. For the past three decades, the company has been building platforms, products, and experiences that challenge conventions and connect meaningfully with people. From shaping spaces to crafting brands, their work moves across disciplines — always guided by a belief in design as a tool for cultural clarity and social impact. Operating out of Erth Abu Dhabi in the heart of Abu Dhabi, Slash is behind initiatives like Fount, a curated concept store for design-led objects, and Fabrica, a hands-on platform for collaborative making. Together, they make up the Ripple Collective. Its ongoing series, The Abu Dhabi Sessions, invites the community to explore identity and place through conversation, design, and shared experience.
Times
04-05-2025
- Science
- Times
The James May review: Polestar 4 — the car with no rear window
When I was a student in the early Eighties one or two of my friends were studying the obscure subjects of 'computer science' and 'programming'. They were the ones with a Commodore hooked up to a weighty portable TV in their rooms, and whose faces were tainted a sickly green by the reflected light of that idiotic early Ghostbusters game. Over the next two decades their number increased in accordance with a sort of Moore's law of academic intake, and eventually they were all released into the world, looking for work. These are the people who developed your 'devices' and pioneered the internet. They turned everything into an app and made your fridge and your central heating controls 'smart'. They put the Library of Alexandria
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Ancient city once home to Cleopatra is disappearing at an unprecedented rate: 'Sounding the alarm'
For over 2,300 years, the Egyptian city of Alexandria has stood as a hub of history, culture, and innovation. Once home to the fabled Library of Alexandria and the birthplace of Cleopatra, the city has weathered the rise and fall of empires. Today, Alexandria faces a new and unprecedented threat — not from war or politics, but from the encroaching sea. Over the past two decades, rising sea levels have caused 280 buildings to collapse, with the rate of destruction surging from about one per year to as many as 40 annually, according to a study published in Earth's Future and relayed by Live Science. According to recent studies, at least 7,000 more structures in the city are at risk. Between 2014 and 2020 alone, partial or total building collapses resulted in 85 deaths, per the study. Researchers warn that Alexandria is just one of many coastal cities facing this crisis. "The true cost of this loss extends far beyond bricks and mortar," study co-author Essam Heggy said, according to Live Science. "We are witnessing the gradual disappearance of historic coastal cities, with Alexandria sounding the alarm." Alexandria's collapse is a stark reminder that rising sea levels aren't a distant threat — they're reshaping our world right now. As seawater creeps inland, it weakens building foundations by eroding soil and corroding steel reinforcements, putting entire communities at risk. Global sea levels have risen by about 8-9 inches since 1880, with a 4-inch increase since 1993 alone, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. If pollution levels remain high, sea levels could surge another 7.2 feet by 2100, threatening millions of people living in low-lying coastal cities. Researchers caution that this isn't just an Alexandria problem — it's a global one. Coastal areas in the U.S., from Florida to California, are also at risk of erosion, flooding, and infrastructure failure. "Our study challenges the common misconception that we'll only need to worry when sea levels rise by a meter," Heggy said in a statement. "Coastlines globally… are already changing and causing building collapses at an unprecedented rate." While the situation is urgent, there are solutions that can help slow and mitigate the damage. Some experts suggest elevating buildings on stilts or reinforced foundations to reduce the impact of seawater intrusion. In high-risk areas, urban planners are considering relocating residents to safer locations to prevent further loss of life and infrastructure. Do you think your house could withstand a hurricane? No way Maybe a weak one I'm not sure It definitely could Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. On a larger scale, addressing the root cause of rising sea levels is crucial. Reducing heat-trapping pollution by transitioning to clean energy sources, cutting methane gas pollution, and protecting coastal wetlands can help slow the pace of rising waters. Governments and communities worldwide are already implementing adaptation strategies, but without global action, cities like Alexandria may continue to suffer irreversible damage. Alexandria's fate serves as a wake-up call: The choices we make today will shape the future of our cities, coastlines, and cultural heritage. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Washington Post
14-02-2025
- General
- Washington Post
This data may vanish under Trump, so we charted it
For a few days this month, some of the most valuable datasets in human history vanished from U.S. government websites, often without warning and with no guidance about what would happen next. To those of us who have gone on record describing the Census Bureau's American Community Survey as a wonder of the modern world, watching its files disappear from a federal FTP server felt like watching the Library of Alexandria go up in smoke.
