Burj Khalifa: The world's tallest skyscraper in Dubai to get a giant ring like Saturn 

Designed to be self-sufficient and sustainable, the Downtown Circle project is a spectacular futuristic concept envisioned by the architecture firm ZNera Space. The magnificent 550-metre tall ring is stated to be a mixed-use facility consisting of houses and public and commercial blocks. However, the most striking aspect of the ring is that it surrounds the world’s largest free-standing skyscraper, Burj Khalifa, and will encompass all of Downtown Dubai within a three-kilometre radius.

The firm recently released pictures and renderings of this state-of-the-art design on their social media. It stated, “As a response to the dilemma of how to build densely while retaining liveability, the downtown circle project establishes a sustainable and a self sufficient vertical urbanism. As a singular mega building complex, it aims to create a hyper-efficient urban centre that gives back to the environment.”

An alternative to the traditional gated societies and high-rise residences found in most metropolitan cities, the proposed 550-metre tall mega structure around the Burj Khalifa will be broken down into smaller units to include the multi-purpose amenities. For passengers to travel from one node to another within the circle, a fleet of suspended peripheral pods to do the needful. These hanging or suspended vessels form a network of rail through which travel is possible at the bottom tier of this dynamic ring of the future.

Also read: The 37 most beautiful train stations in the world

The Burj Khalifa project also includes a ‘Skypark’ where natural climate and scenarios are recreated, enabling a lively journey for the residents of the circle. The visitors can experience a natural habitat consisting of canyons, sand dunes, and plants of varied flora. The unique interpretation of the green ecosystem also comprises of swamps, waterfalls, and tropical vegetation, or the digital caves, cascades, fruit trees, and flowers of various hues and species.

The idea for the Downtown Circle arose during the pandemic when the lifestyle of people in cities and their homes altered. Reconsidering the living conditions of skyscraper residents, this out-of-the-box design by ZNera Space co-founders Najmus Chowdry and Nils Remess focussed on new-age living and concentrates on experimental architecture. “We looked at aspects such as garbage disposal, food production, traffic problems, pollution. We put all these things together and came up with the concept,” Remess stated. The vision of the circle is not just limited to a futuristic concept but also confronts environmental problems and societal constraints.