Most viral photos from Elections 2014_Part_3

  This combination of photographs created on April 1, 2014, shows Indian politicians wearing the tradidtional Assamese 'Japi' hat during campaign rallies in the north-eastern Indian state ahead of the forthcoming general elections, (TOP/L) Congress Party Leader Sonia Gandhi in Lakhimpur, some 377 kms from Guwahati on March 30, 2014, (TOP/R) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (FRONT/L) Khumtai Tea Estate, some 380 kms from Guwahati on March 29, 2014, Congress Party Leader and Prime Ministerial candidate Rahul Gandhi in Guwahati on February 25, 2014 and (FRONT/R) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in Biswanath Chariali, some 256 kms from Guwahati on March 31, 2014. Voting will begin on April 7, 2014, in India's national elections in the two remote northeastern states of Assam and Tripura, before spreading across the country of 814 million eligible voters in a staggered process. Results are due on May 16.
 Gujarat state Chief Minister Narendra Modi checks time while wiping his head at an event at Udvada, about 370 kilometers (230 miles) south of Ahmadabad, India, Sunday, April 24, 2011.
 Gujarat state Chief Minister Narendra Modi wipes his face during an election campaign rally in Bayad, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Ahmadabad, India, Tuesday, April 14, 2009. India will hold general elections in five phases starting on April 16.
 Gujarat state Chief Minister Narendra Modi smiles during a public meeting in Ahmadabad, India, Thursday, July 1, 2004. The meeting was to felicitate Modi for the successful increase in the height of the Narmada dam project, that is believed to benefit the people of the state.
 Congress party Vice President Rahul Gandhi drives his mother and party President Sonia Gandhi to file her nomination papers for the upcoming general elections, in Rae Bareli, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, India, Wednesday, April 2, 2014. India will hold national elections from April 7 to May 12, kicking off a vote that many observers see as the most important election in more than 30 years in the world's largest democracy. Uttar Pradesh is India's largest state with a population of 200 million, almost matching that of Brazil. Had it been a separate nation, Uttar Pradesh would count as the world's fifth most populous country.
 Rahul Gandhi clears a piece of dust from the face of his mother and Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi before she files her nomination papers for the general elections at a district court in Rae Bareilly, 70 kilometers (44 miles) from Lucknow, India, Tuesday, April 6, 2004. Gandhi signed papers formalizing her candidacy from Rae Bareilly that has been a political stronghold of the Nehru-Gandhi family.
 **TO GO WITH STORY SLUGGED INDIA FEUDING DYNASTIES BY TIM SULLIVAN** Congress Party candidate Rahul Gandhi, center, shares a lighter moment with his mother and Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi, left, as sister Priyanka Vadra, right, looks on while filing his candidacy papers for Amethi constituency in Sultanpur, 133 kilometers (83 miles) from Lucknow, India, in this Monday, April 5, 2004 file photo. Friends for generations, and then quietly distanced for the past two decades, the feud between the Gandhis, the dynasty that has dominated Indian politics for half a century, and the Bachchans, family of Indias most popular actor Amitabh Bachchan, has erupted into the open, fascinating a nation where politics and movie industry are followed like spectator sports.
 India's ruling Congress party General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, right, interacts with villagers during his 'Kisan Sandesh Yatra' or Farmers Message Campaign in Ahladpur, in the opposition-ruled state of Uttar Pradesh, India, Wednesday, July 6, 2011. Gandhi is on the campaign in an effort to raise support for a farmer's meeting scheduled for July 9. Earlier this year, Gandhi shook off most of his security detail, hopped on the back of a motorcycle and rode out to join a farmers' protest over land rights in the state, which has an election next year.
 Rahul Gandhi puts his arm around New Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit as dignitaries gathered at the memorial of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on occasion of his death anniversary, in New Delhi, India, Monday, May 21, 2012. Rajiv Gandhi was killed in a suicide bomb attack on May 21, 1991 in Tamil Nadu during a poll campaign.
Scion of India's Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty and Congress party general secretary Rahul Gandhi, right fields during a cricket match between the youth and student wings of the party in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007.

Algiers - City of Algeria_Part_1




 Algiers (Arabic: الجزائر‎, al-Jazā’er; Algerian Arabic: دزاير, Berber: Dzayer, ⴷⵣⴰⵢⴻⵔ, French: Alger) is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000. An estimate puts the population at about 3,574,000 as of 2010. Algiers is located on the Mediterranean Sea and in the north-central portion of Algeria.
Sometimes nicknamed El-Behdja (البهجة) or alternatively Alger la Blanche ("Algiers the White") for the glistening white of its buildings as seen rising up from the sea, Algiers is situated on the west side of a bay of the Mediterranean Sea. The modern part of the city is built on the level ground by the seashore; the old part, the ancient city of the deys, climbs the steep hill behind the modern town and is crowned by the casbah or citadel, 122 metres (400 ft) above the sea. The casbah and the two quays form a triangle.



Etymology
The city name is derived (via French Alger and Catalan Alger[3]) from the Arabic name الجزائر al-Jazā’ir, which translates as "The Islands", referring to the four islands which lay off the city's coast until becoming part of the mainland in 1525. Al-Jazā’ir is itself a truncated form of the city's older name جزائر بني مزغانة Jaza'ir Bani Mazghana, "The Islands of the Sons of Mazghana", used by early medieval geographers such as al-Idrisi and Yaqut al-Hamawi.





Most viral photos from Elections 2014_Part_2

 After Meghna Patel stripped for Narendra Modi, Tanisha Singh did a "cutie pie" for Rahul Gandhi with the same strategically placed posters and flyers.

 She even advocated Yuva Josh for the 44-something Congress leader.

 Black ink was thrown at AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal during a road show in Varanasi after he reached Varanasi to take on BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

 All through the route, many people, seemingly Modi supporters, waved black flags and raised slogans against the Aam Aadmi Party. 

 Gaurav Sharma, locally known as Indian Spiderman who is contesting as an independent candidate in the upcoming parliamentary elections greets people during his campaign in Mumbai, India, Thursday, April 3, 2014. India will hold national elections from April 7 to May 12, kicking off a vote that many observers see as the most important election in more than 30 years in the world's largest democracy. 

 Gaurav Sharma, locally known as Indian Spiderman who is contesting as an independent candidate in the upcoming parliamentary elections waves to children during his campaign in Mumbai, India, Thursday, April 3, 2014. India will hold national elections from April 7 to May 12, kicking off a vote that many observers see as the most important election in more than 30 years in the world's largest democracy. 

 Chief of India's Aam Admi Party Arvind Kejriwal (C) yawns as he attends a public meeting in Ahmedabad on March 8, 2014. Kejriwal spoke against the Bhartiya Janta Party and the Congress Party and denied that AAP is B Team of Congress Party. 

 Priyanka Gandhi, Congress party supporter and daughter of India's ruling Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi, center, gestures during an election campaign in Amethi, India, Monday, Feb. 6, 2012. India's biggest state Uttar Pradesh will go for polling in seven phases starting from Feb. 8. 2012. Party symbol is seen in foreground.

 Chief Minister of the Indian state of Gujarat and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi (L) poses for a photograph as party candidate from Mumbai Poonam Mahajan takes a 'selfie' with him at an election rally in Mumbai on April 21, 2014. India's 814-million-strong electorate is voting in the world's biggest election which is set to sweep the Hindu nationalist opposition to power at a time of low growth, anger about corruption and warnings about religious unrest. 

Rahul Gandhi eats at a community kitchen after paying homage at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Tirana - City of Albania_Part_6_Last


Sports

Tirana is a major centre for sport in Albania. Tirana's sports clubs include KF Tirana, Partizani, and Dinamo. In football, as of April 2012, the Tirana based teams have won a combined 57 championships out of 72 championships organized by the FSHF, i.e. 79% of them.
In Tirana there are two major stadiums, the Qemal Stafa Stadium, that holds around 20,000 spectators and the Selman Stërmasi stadium which holds around 12,000 spectators. Tirana's sports infrastructure is developing fast because of the investments from the municipality and the government. From 2007 Tirana Municipality has built up to 80 sport gardens in most of Tirana's neighbourhoods.
Transport

The city serves as the meeting point for national roads SH1, SH2 and SH3. Construction of the outer big ring highway started in 2011. In the near future, Tirana will have a transportation hub combining all transportation in one place near Kashar.
Bus

Local transport within Tirana is by bus or taxi. Official taxis have yellow plates with red text.
Coach and minibus (furgon) services also run to the coast and northern and southern Albania from Tirana. International coach services connect to Greece, via Korçë or Kakavije, to Kosovo[a] via the new Durrës-Morine highway, and to the Republic of Macedonia via Struga.
A web and Android application regarding Tirana's public transportation such as lines, directions, times and costs can be found at Tirana Bus Stations. An Android application is available for download at Google Play Apps.

Rail

There are passenger services to Durrës and Librazhd, via Elbasan. As of September 2013, the Tirana Railway Station north of Skanderbeg Square is being dismantled and moved to Vorë. The existing line was replaced with a bus service located alongside the coach terminal at the north end of Boulevard Zogu I. The line extending from Librazhd to Pogradec was discontinued in 2012. There are no international passenger services, although there is a freight-only railway through Shkodër to Montenegro.
Air






 Tirana International Airport


Tirana International Airport Mother Theresa (Nënë Tereza in Albanian), also known as Rinas Airport, was reconstructed in 2007. It is 15 km (9 mi) northwest of the city, off the road to Durrës. Airlines using Rinas include Albanian Airlines. Flights run to Athens, London, Rimini, Bari, Genoa, Rome, Bologna, Munich, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Vienna among other places. It is one of the largest airports in the region. Several foreign airlines also serve Rinas Airport: Adria Airways (from Ljubljana), Aegean Airlines (from Athens), Air One (from Bologna, Milan, Pisa, Venice, Verona), Alitalia (from Bari, Rome, Turin), Arkefly (from Amsterdam), Austrian Airlines (from Vienna), Blu-express (from Bergamo, Bologna, Milan, Pisa, Rome, Venice, Verona), British Airways (from London-Gatwick), Darwin Airlines (from Rome), Jetairfly (from Brussels), Livinston Comapgnia Aeree (from Bologna, Milan, Rome, Verona), Lufthansa Regional (from Munich), Meridiana (from Milan, Verona), Small Planet Airlines (from Bari, Genoa,Naples), SunExpress (from Antalya), Pegasus Airlines (from Istanbul Sabiha-Gokcen), Turkish Airlines (from Istanbul Ataturk)








Sea



Tirana is served by the port of Durrës, 36 km (22 mi) distant from the capital. Passenger ferries from Durrës sail to Trieste, Ancona, Otranto, Brindisi, Bari, Genoa (Italy), Zadar, Dubrovnik (Croatia), Koper (Slovenia), Bar (Montenegro), Corfu (Greece) and others. Kavaja is included in the Tirana County also.
Bicycle
The Ecovolis bicycle sharing system was launched in 2011. Bicycles are rented from initially four stations located at Rinia Park and along Deshmoret e Kombit Boulevard. A full day ride costs 100 leks. Cycling in the streets has been regarded as quite dangerous such as bike lanes are narrow and occupied by cars. However, in recent years, Tirana is investing in cycling infrastructure. Bike only lanes are located alongside existing sidewalks on Skanderbeg Square, Lana River, and Kavaja Street while combined bus and bike lanes are located on other main streets to alleviate overall congestion.




Sunset over the Adriatic Sea


Notable people
Below are some of the most notable personalities born in Tirana or that spent most of their lives in Tirana:
 Abdi bej Toptani, signatory of the Albanian Declaration of Independence
 Agim Sulaj, painter
 Albert Brojka, former Tirana Mayor
 Aleksandër Meksi, former Prime Minister
 Andrea Shundi, Albanian agronomist
 Bamir Topi, former President of Albania
 Beqir Balluku, former member of the Politburo he was accused as organizer of a coup d'état in 1974, and sentenced to death
 Blendi Nallbani, football player
 Breanne Benson, pornographic actress
 Edi Rama, Mayor of Tiranë
 Elsa Lila, singer
 Erjon Bogdani, football player
 Ermonela Jaho, opera singer
 Essad Pasha, politician
 Fatos Nano, former Prime Minister of Albania
 Gjergj Xhuvani, movie director
 Igli Tare, football player
 Inva Mula, opera singer
 Ismail Ndroqi, mayor of Tiranë
 Kledi Kadiu, dancer and actor who lives and works in Italy
 Kujtim Çashku, Albanian film director and screenwriter
 Leka, Crown Prince of Albania, heir of King Zog I
 Masiela Lusha, actress, poet, and writer
 Murat bej Toptani, signatory of the Albanian Declaration of Independence
 Pandeli Majko, twice Prime Minister of Albania
 Rexhep Meidani, former President of Albania
 Saimir Kumbaro, film director
 Sali Kelmendi, former Tirana Mayor
 Skënder Sallaku, comic actor
 Vedat Kokona, translator
 Klodiana Shala, athlete
Honorary citizens
The following persons are honorary citizens:
 George Soros
 Norman Wisdom
 Wolfgang Schüssel
 Ismail Kadare
 Nikita Khrushchev
 Galeazzo Ciano
 Ibrahim Kodra
 Azem Hajdari
 Anton Yugov
 Haxhi Hafiz Sabri Koçi Grand Mufti of Albania.[33]
 Archbishop Anastasios of Albania
 Rrok Mirdita
 Baba Reshat Bardhi
 Robert Shvarc
 Dritëro Agolli
 Hysen Kazazi
 Sadik Kaceli
 Hans Peter Furrer
 Mahatir Bin Mohammed
 Shefqet Ndroqi
 Osman Kazazi (sq)
 Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
 Eliza Dushku
 Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
 Franco Frattini

Most viral photos from Elections 2014_Part_1

Quaint slogans and appalling invectives concurrently punctuate the electoral air. Hundreds of thousands of curious supporters throng political rallies to listen to star politicians. Dozens of political parties owing allegiance to various regional aspirations, religious mores, caste equations, diverse ideologies and ethnicities jostle around to woo the voter. Lookalikes and celebrities, transgender candidates and hardboiled political veterans, unknown faces and women contestants fight each other, adding spice and colour to electioneering. Jet-setting campaigners fly around covering the length and breadth of the country to sell their ideas to an expectant electorate. From models stripping in support of contestants to candidates violating model code and being abused in public, controversies are galore, too. We bring you the most controversial and viral scenes from the world's largest elections ever in which 815 million people are eligible to vote

 Even as cadres in Gujarat continue to wait for Narendra modi's golden touch, Rajiv Shukla was busy imparting a different kind of touch. In a photograph that has gone viral on social networking sites Twitter and Facebook, much fun has been made of Shukla who is seen caressing Bollywood actor Ameesha Patel's cheek during a roadshow for Congress candidate Nand Gopal Gupta in Allahabad.
 Amrita Rai, journalist with a reputed news channel has confirmed on micro blogging site, Twitter that she has decided to marry Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh as she has mutually separated from her husband.
 Opposition leaders created a storm over Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's controversial selfie and flashing of the party symbol after casting his ballot in Ahmedabad.

Post-voting, Modi clicked a selfie of his inked finger along with the party's election symbol - the Lotus - triggering political slugfest and a demand for EC inquiry into a possible model code of conduct breach.
 Actor turned politician Chiranjeevi landed in trouble as he stepped out to vote on Wednesday (April 30). While waiting to cast his vote at a polling station, he allegedly tried to jump the queue and was asked by a voter to return to his place and respct the voter's queue.
 A small-time model Meghna Patel has put Modi and his supporters in a fix by posing almost in the buff. Meghna has posed with lotus and a placard seeking support for Modi in a series of photographs that have gone viral on the Net. In one of the photos, Meghna is posing nude with a placard reading ‘vote for Narendra Modi’ covering her torso.
 This “bold” act of support has left the Maharashtra BJP embarrassed. State BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandhari said: "We welcome people supporting us, but we are not in support of such vulgar display. If you want to support Modi, there are other ways like attending his rallies.
 Actress Nagma, who is standing as a Congress candidate in the upcoming general elections, was publicly touched by Congress legislator Gajraj Singh who tried to kiss her while she was campaigning in Hapur. Nagma is the party's Lok Sabha candidate from Meerut constituency in Uttar Pradesh and had gone to Hapur to campaign for her party.


Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and her daughter Priyanka made a joint appearance for the first time in the Uttar Pradesh assembly election on Tuesday.Priyanka pinched her mother’s cheek and followed up the affectionate gesture with the promise of a gift. Addressing a public rally at Rai Bareily she said, “I promise Ma, that we willget her all the 10 seats of Rae Bareli and Amethi.”
 Circulating images of Rahul Gandhi interacting with voters at polling booths while polling was on for the Amethi Lok Sabha seat, both the BJP and the AAP alleged that the Congress is trying to influence voters on election day.

 The images showed the Congress vice president talking to voters inside a polling booth in Amethi, while another image showed him looking at an EVM while a voter stands next to him. The images were shared on the Twitter handles of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Tirana - City of Albania_Part_5


Districts and planning







 Municipal Units of Tirana


The Municipality of Tirana is divided into 11 administrative units referred to as Njësi Bashkiake (Municipal units). These have their own mayor and council, and sometimes are known as Mini-Bashki (Mini-Municipality).



In 2000, the centre of Tirana from the central campus of Tirana University up to Skanderbeg Square
was declared the place of Cultural Assembly, and given state
protection. The historical core of the capital lies around pedestrian
only Murat Toptani Street, while the most prominent city district is
Blloku. Once a secluded and heavily guarded Politbureau residential
area, it has turned into a district where the young and fashionable fill
the clubs and cafes. Tirana's influential elite live in the village of
Selita on Tirana's outskirts. The area is famous for its villa
architecture.



Until recently the city lacked a proper address system. In 2010, the
municipality undertook the installing of street name signs and entrance
numbers while every apartment entrance was physically stamped.




Urban planning







 Traffic in Tirana


Half a dozen urban plans for Tirana prepared by consultants have included proposals on how to guide development. In 1995, Regional Consulting, a Vienna-based urban planning firm funded by the Austrian government prepared a master plan for Tirana. In 1995, a Land Management Task Force composed of Albanian urban planners, PADCO (a US-based consulting firm), GHK (UK-based consulting firm), and the Graduate School of Design of Harvard University prepared a preliminary structural plan for the Tirana metropolitan area. The plan was updated by PADCO in 2002 into a Strategic Plan for Greater Tirana, which covered the metropolitan area.
In 2002, two German consultants, GTZ GmbH (German Technical Cooperation), and IOER (Institute of Ecological and Regional Development) compiled a development study for the Tirana-Durrës region. Two other site plans for the city center were prepared in 2003 and 2010 by French Architecture Studio, and Belgian architectural firm 51N4E respectively. In 2007, a larger strategic plan for this region followed up made by two UK-based firms, Landell Mills Development Consultants and Buro Happold.
Most of these proposal's did not go through the established approval procedures and have unclear legal status. The preparation of a new master plan for Tirana was under way for almost a decade (2002–2011). Two interim reports prepared by Urbaplan - a Swiss consultant, and CoPlan - an Albanian urban planning institute were released in 2007 and 2008 respectively. However, the plan was turned down by the National Planning Council of Albania (KRRTRSH). In the meantime, the Municipality announced in 2011 that a new regulatory plan would be prepared within 2012.


Economy







 City Park shopping center


Tirana is Albania's major industrial and financial centre. Since the 1920s, it has experienced rapid growth and established many industries for agricultural products and machinery, textiles, pharmaceuticals, metal products, and services.
Tirana began to develop at the beginning of the 16th century, when a bazaar was established, and its craftsmen manufactured silk and cotton fabrics, leather, ceramics and iron, silver, and gold artifacts. Sited in a fertile plain, the Tirana area exported 2,600 barrels of olive oil and 14,000 packages of tobacco to Venice by 1769. In 1901, it had 140,000 olive trees, 400 oil mills, and 700 shops. Tirana is known for its native wealthy families. TID tower, an 85 meters business tower is being constructed in the city. Tirana has malls, such as City Park at 3 km2 (1 sq mi), QTU, Casa Italia, and Tirana East Gate.




Environment







Tirana Park on the Artificial Lake




The city suffers from problems related to overpopulation, such as waste management, high levels of air pollution and significant noise pollution. Over the last decades, air pollution has become a pressing concern as the number of cars has increased to over 300,000. These are mostly 1990s and early 2000s diesel cars, while it is widely believed that the fuel used in Albania contains larger amounts of sulfur and lead than in the European Union. Another source of pollution are PM10 and PM2.5 inhaled particulate matter and NO2 gases resulting from rapid growth in the construction of new buildings and expanding road infrastructure. Untreated solid waste is present in the city and outskirts. Additionally, there have been complaints of excessive noise pollution. Despite the problems, the Big Park at the Tirana Artificial Lake has some effect on absorbing CO2 emissions, while over 2 000 trees have been planted around sidewalks.





Media



Tirana is the media hub of Albania. The city is home to the headquarters of the Albanian Radio and Television (RTSH), and national commercial broadcasters Top Channel and TV Klan. Radio stations operate in the capital, with the most notable being Radio Tirana, commercial Top Albania Radio and Plus 2 Radio.
Tirana is home to the publication of dailies including Shqip, Zëri i Popullit, Shekulli, Gazeta Shqiptare and Koha Jonë.





What to Do When Kids Catch You in The Act

What to do when kids catch you in the act
Mahesh Yadav, a 40-year-old businessman had just come back from his month-long tour and was
finally alone with his wife, Suchitra, after their kids went to bed. They expected the kids to be fast asleep and as eager as they were to spend some time with each other, they forgot to latch the door from inside. To their utter dismay, after sometime they realised their 6-year-old daughter had been standing at the door all along. "We were embarrassed to the highest degree and didn't know how to react," confessed Suchitra.

Children of different age groups react to such situations differently, but very few can clearly interpret what's actually happening. Therefore it's important to talk to them and clear their doubts before their tender minds are wrongly affected. For example, based on the sounds and actions they witness, a 3-year-old may conclude that it's a physically violent act, where either the mom or dad will get hurt. This may lead to feelings of fear, where they are unwilling to interact with the parent thinking he/she is violent.

Dr Rajan Bhonsle, sex expert, tells us that embarrassment is an obvious reaction most parents show, especially in a conservative society like ours, where we are taught to be secretive about our sexual needs and practises. "But we have to understand that sex is a part of our lives and in a situation like this, parents need to talk to the child and explain things to them, rather than be silent about it," he explains.

Most parents almost instinctively, shout at or scold the child after being caught in the act to hide their own embarrassment, but one should never do that, suggests Dr Bhonsle. Instead, parents should firmly ask the child to leave the room, without raising their voice. After that, they should sit down and discuss the situation with the kid and tell him/her that it's a very private moment between mom and dad and that no one is going to get hurt in the process.

It's also crucial to explain to the child right from a young age that as grownups, you need some private time, where children cannot take part. The child may be frightened because of what he/she has witnessed and may anticipate being rebuked for walking in on his/her parents. In that case, it's the parents' job to calm them down and reassure them that it's not their fault. "If required, apologise to your child and tell him/her that it was your mistake and that you should have locked the door, and it won't happen again," says Bhonsle. It's very important to re-establish the parent-child rapport and that can only be done through effective communication.

Important tip for parents to remember: Never forget to lock the door from inside!

Tirana - City of Albania_Part_4


Culture



Institutions and events





 Skanderbeg Square




 Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral




 National History Museum




 Petrela Castle near Tirana



Taivani, a Tirana restaurant seen from the Sky Tower's revolving restaurant

The main cultural institutions of Tirana are the National Theater, the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania, and the National Arts Gallery (Galeria Kombëtare e Arteve). Performances of renown world composers are regularly performed by the Symphonic Orchestra of the Albanian Radio and Television.
The city serves as a venue for the Tirana Biennale, Tirana Jazz Festival, Summer Day, White Night on 28 November, Rally Albania, Netet e Klipit Shqiptar, and Tirana Fashion Week. Tirana has been redesigning its identity to a more Mediterranean city lined with cafes and a "vibrant" nightlife.
Landmarks

Tirana has a rich mosaic of historic land natural landmarks. The town and surrounding area is home to the following natural and historical sites:



  •  Tirana Castle (Kalaja e Tiranës), the historical core of the capital around Murat Toptani Street

  •  Clock Tower of Tirana (Kulla e Sahatit) and the nearby Tirana Ethnography and Clock Towers Museum (Muzeu i Oreve)

  •  Et'hem Bey Mosque (Xhamia e Tiranës)

  •  Tabak Bridge (Ura e Tabakëve)

  •  National Historic Museum

  •  Skanderbeg Square as a monumental ensemble

  •  Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard, a panoramic avenue built by the Italians

  •  Blloku, the nightlife area of the capital

  •  Dajti Mountain, overlooking the city and accessible via cable car

  •  Prezë Castle (Kalaja e Prezës)

  •  Petrelë Castle (Kalaja e Petrelës)

  •  Tirana Mosaic

  •  Kapllan Pasha's Grave (Varri i Kapllan Pashës)

  •  Tirana Archaeological Museum

  •  Natural Sciences Museum of Albania

  •  Sali Shijaku Traditional House

  •  Big Park on the Artificial Lake

  •  St Paul's Cathedral

  •  Orthodox Church of the Holy Evangelical

  •  Zemra e Krishtit Catholic Church of Tirana

  •  Sheh Dyrri Teqe and Global Bektashi Centre

  •  Dervish Hatixhe Tekke

  •  Tirana New Bazaar

  •  Brari Canyon

  •  Pellumbas Cave

  •  Shengjergji Waterfall

  •  Erzeni River Canyon


Tirana is home to five well-preserved traditional houses (museum-houses), 56 cultural monuments, eight public libraries, and the National Library of Albania (Biblioteka Kombëtare).[19] Since 2011, a Tourist Information Office was opened located behind the National History Museum with useful information on Tirana and Albania.
Education

Tirana is host to academic institutions such as the University of Tirana, Polytechnic University of Tirana, Agricultural University of Tirana, Academy of Physical Education and Sports, University of Arts (Academy of Arts of Albania), the Academy of Sciences of Albania, and the Skanderbeg Military University, national and international academic research institutions, as well as NGOs. English Base is an English Language school in Tirana.
Tirana has seen the creation of private academic institutions, including: Albanian University (U.F.O - Universitas.Fabrefacta Optime), Epoka University, University of New York, Tirana, European University of Tirana, Luarasi University, Academy of Film and Multimedia "Marubi".

Proposal for iconic city along the Ganga riverside_Part_2_Last


Architects: Studio Symbiosis (Amit Gupta, Britta Knobel Gupta) I Location: Kanpur


Studio Symbiosis has also envisioned a design for the development of the Kanpur riverfront.


Proposed by Studio Symbiosis, the Kanpur Riverfront Development project is a part of an overall scheme for rehabilitation of the Ganga river and the Ganga riverfront.


The project area is occupied by tanneries that are creating an unlivable condition for people of Kanpur due to pollution of ground water and the waste discharge in the river itself.


The proposal looks at a rehabilitation scheme of moving the tanneries to a nearby location away from Ganga and provides housing for the existing slum population in the area. The area being designed is the genesis of Kanpur and has a historical site where the city grew out of.


A transit corridor coming from Lucknow enters Kanpur through the site marking its importance as the entrance to the city of Kanpur, the unique position of being next to the holy river Ganga but not being able to access it or enjoy this unique location was the main design driver.


The flow of the river has been captured as a fluid grid that moves along the Ganga creating a seamless space interacting with the river.


Ganga simulations have been created to achieve an informed interactive edge along the river based on Program Attractors. Site is located along the riverfront on one side and on the other side is flanked by a dense city grid.


This city grid has been seamlessly weaved in the master plan proposal and travels uninterrupted to the river edge maintaining a connection to the exiting arteries of the city. These two primary grids namely a free flowing horizontal grid and the vertical grid from the city interface in a sublime manner creating a unified design approach.


Green corridors lead inhabitants from the interior of the master plan to the Ganga edge thereby facilitating an experience based pedestrian movement to the river.


The river edge itself has been studied for its existing use and the topographical conditions. The elements existing on the riverfront like Ghat (steps to river) and the archaeological site have been maintained and enhanced through the design.


New elements have been introduced to create a fluid movement along the river front with elements of recreation (cultural center, public plazas, shopping arcade, restaurants, hotel, cinema), cultural (archeological site and museum), administration along with town hall and business centers, to facilitate an interactive program and creating a lively river front.


The program required a commercial, residential, and mixed use development. The transport corridors and the river edge have been taken as the magnets facilitating the distribution of the program.


Skyline responds to a number of site and program conditions. The proposal flows out from the existing city thereby keeping it similar to the scale of surroundings and starts gradually creating a high point that responds to the program.


Along the riverfront the skyline responds to the riverfront edge and flows as a silhouette reinforcing the character of the riverfront edge.

Architects: Studio Symbiosis (Amit Gupta and Britta Knobel Gupta I Location: Kanpur

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