Lyon's Twin Sister City in Dubai

An investor from Dubai is looking to replicate -- in close detail -- the French city of Lyon in the Arab Emirate.

1 minute read

January 25, 2008, 1:00 PM PST

By Nate Berg


"Certainly, Lyon - with its two rivers, its Gallo-Roman ruins, its 300 Renaissance merchant houses and its gastronomic reputation - is special, even in a country like France."

"Two weeks ago, Ghandi, who is the head of Emivest, an investment and development group, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Lyon mayor and several locally based entities to embark on a grand architectural adventure for Dubai, one of the seven small states that make up the United Arab Emirates."

"The project, temporarily called Lyon-Dubai City, will include a university; subsidiaries of Lyon's main museums; housing, hotel and office space; cafés, restaurants, pedestrian streets, town squares, courtyards, a film center, maybe even a church, all inspired by France's third-largest city. As of now, little Lyon will cover between 750 acres, or about 300 hectares, and 1,000 acres."

Thursday, January 24, 2008 in International Herald Tribune

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18, 2024 - Beverly Press

Amtrak train passing over tall trestle bridge on California coast at Gaviota Beach.

LA-to-San Francisco Night Train Closer to Reality

A train operator has entered into formal negotiations with Union Pacific to move the project forward with a projected launch date of 2025.

March 27 - SFGate

Major League Baseball Stadium

Lawsuit Aims to Stop Dodger Stadium Gondola

A proposed aerial tram project that would shuttle visitors to L.A.’s Dodger Stadium faces backlash from environmental and community groups.

March 27 - Los Angeles Times

ROwn of grey and white townhomes with gabled roofs and front porches.

Why Parking Reform Goes Hand in Hand With More Housing

To achieve the full benefits of ‘missing middle housing’ and make way for small-lot construction, cities must rethink parking mandates.

March 27 - Sightline

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.