Hotel operator Travelodge is planning to build pre-fabricated hotels in Shenzhen that can be assembled in locales in need of a short term boost in rooms -- such as Olympic host cities.
"Visitors to the Olympics in 2012 will be staying in some hotels made in China.
Travelodge is planning to build several "modular" hotels in the capital in time for the Games. The 120-room structures, pre-built in metal containers in factories near Shenzhen, can be quickly dismantled and relocated for large events.
A company spokesman said yesterday that no specific sites had been identified yet. The prefab approach cuts building time by a quarter and costs by 10 per cent, allowing savings to be passed on in the form of cheaper room rates.
The first recyclable hotel is due to open in Uxbridge next month where rooms will cost as little as £19 a night. Another is expected near Heathrow by the end of the year. But Simon Storer, of the Construction Products Association, said: "Lowest cost is not necessarily best value as this doesn't take into account the CO2 emissions from the transport."
Unions also condemned the idea of exporting construction jobs abroad during a time of intense uncertainty in the British property industry."
FULL STORY: Pre-fab hotels for visitors to London Olympics
The Trust for Historic Preservation’s ‘Most Haunted’ Hotels of 2024
Looking for a historically creepy place to spend Halloween? Check out these haunted properties.
LA Officials Struggle to Enforce Short-Term Rental Rules
Hundreds of rent-controlled units are being illegally rented out as short-term rentals, pushing out long-term renters and exacerbating the city’s housing crisis.
Milwaukee Could Impose Owner Occupancy Rules on Short-Term Rentals
The city could tighten regulations on short-term rentals, many of which remain unregistered despite rules requiring permits.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City
If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)