SCENARIO
THE MEGA PROJECT
92
9.4
SITUATION
1
Read the situation below. In your opinion, what big
construction projects might impress foreign visitors?
A country in South-East Asia has an expanding tourist
industry. However, it would like to attract more
business travellers to use its conference facilities.
To achieve this objective, the government plans to
have a big project which will be exciting, good for its
citizens and create worldwide interest. The Minister
of the Environment, Susan Lau, has come up with an
interesting idea.
2
b
Listen again and complete the information.
T
he Mega Project
Type of project:
Height:
Width:
Number of people living in the city:
Number of people working in the city:
Facilities in the city:
Future action by the minister:
3
a
Work in pairs. Read the facts about the country
below and divide them into these two categories.
a
Situations that the new city will improve
b
Problems that the new city will face
•
The capital city is overpopulated and polluted. There
is a serious housing problem in the city.
•
The weather is hot throughout the year.
Temperatures often reach 45˚C.
•
Strong winds and even hurricanes occur at
times in the country. The area is also at risk from
earthquakes.
•
Traffic moves slowly, so commuters spend a long
time travelling to work.
•
There are many poor and homeless people in the
area, and the crime rate is high.
•
The unemployment rate is high, especially in the
construction industry.
•
Many businesses have closed down recently in the
area chosen for the vertical city.
•
People in the north of the country want to create
an independent state. There are often violent anti-
government demonstrations in the area.
2
a
9.3
Listen to an extract from a television news
programme. Discuss these questions.
1
What is Susan Lau’s new idea?
2
Why will the project probably appeal to foreigners?
