The Japanese island of Hashima was once among the most densely populated areas in the world. But with the decline of the coal industry, the island was deserted in the 1970s. Now history enthusiasts like to explore it in hopes of discovering remnants of the mining town it once was. The desolate ruins of the settlement also inspire filmmakers to replicate the haunting setting in their movies. Hashima is just one example of a number of modern "ghost towns" around the world that has drawn the attention of urban researchers, who opened an exhibition on the topic on Thursday in the German capital of Berlin. Neft Dashlari is another. An artificial settlement off the coast of Azerbaijan, it was constructed by the Soviets after World ... Continue reading →

Zaha Hadid claimed she was not asked to the opening or closing ceremonies of the Games, or to any of the diving and swimming heats at her acclaimed building in the Olympic Park.The aquatics centre, with its distinctive “manta ray” design, took eight years to build and features two 50m racing pools, a diving pool and seating for 17,500.In an interview in tomorrow’s ES Magazine, the Clerkenwell-based architect said of the lack of an invitation: “I think [it] is just rude. When you’ve designed a building like this you want to see how it’s used.” But she said she still “can’t wait” for the Games to start: “Everybody is complaining but I think it’s going to be exciting.”Games organiser Locog said: “The best way for ... Continue reading →