1 . Lately, an 86.6-metre-tall mass-timber (拼接木材) tower in Milwaukee, Wisconsin designed by Korb+Associates Architects, has been certified as the world’s tallest timber building. Located in a neighbourhood near the lakefront, the 25-storey tower is made almost entirely from timber except for the base, elevators and stair shafts (竖井).

The structure took only two years to build. It has a concrete-framed podium (基座) at the base that is six storeys tall and the 19-storey timber tower rises from the podium. The core containing the elevator shaft and staircase is made of concrete to help the building deal with wind and earthquakes, as well as for fire safety reasons. “Our cores are concrete,” Korb+Associates Architects founder Jason Korb said.

Thornton Tomasetti associate Alejandro Fernandez, who worked on the project, said that the city required a three-hour fire rating for the columns, so the team worked with the Forest Products Laboratory to optimize the columns to meet this standard. “We think it was the first three-hour fire testing on columns,” said Fernandez, adding that the floor plates had a two-hour rating, meaning the components can burn for two hours without losing structural integrity.

Because of requirements preventing external wood exposure and the developer’s desire to capture the lake views, the outside of the structure is made almost entirely of glass and metal panelling.

Both Korb and Fernandez agreed that many of the drivers behind the project were economic—from the real estate perspective of the façade (建筑物正面) to the cost restrictions of the timber. Much of the wood was sourced from Austria because sourcing high-quality supplies from North American manufacturers would have been too expensive. Economic benefits were increased by labour usage of the project. Korb estimated that the project used about 25 per cent of the onsite labour required for a concrete structure and that it was completed in about half the time.

Both Fernandez and Korb believe that the tower will provide further proof of concept for developers who are looking to create innovative structures from timber. And mid-rise developments like these that “attract people to the urban core” are a “good” thing, Korb added.

5 . After the Beijing Olympic Winter Games, the Big Air Shougang is set to be used as a cultural and sport center for events from concerts to extreme skateboarding competitions as part of the capital’s plan to keep the landmark alive.

An industrial park built around an abandoned steel factory in the capital city, Big Air Shougang is a good show of urban transformation (城市转型) that hosted many world champions during Beijing 2022.

Zhao Weidong, spokesperson of the committee, said the office of the Beijing Organizing Committee is also located in the industrial park. The park was built at the site of a 100-year-old former steelworks of Shougang Group, which was shut down before the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics since it was a source of air pollution International Olympic Committee(IOC) President Thomas Bach set the industrial park as a model by the Beijing committee to practice sustainable development (可持续发展) in hosting the Olympics, making it an amazing example of urban planning and urban development, Zhao said.

But from now on, Big Air Shougang will “target younger people,” said a Big Air Shougang representative at a press conference on Wednesday.

Big Air Shougang will make a bid to host international competitions such as FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships and will also start international training camps with professional organizations to attract more young people to experience and participate in winter sports.

In addition to sports, the venue (场馆) will also be used as a place for cultural activities such as concerts and light shows in order to get the venue into citizen’s everyday lives for free time and entertainment.

However, don’t expect these changes overnight “Our plans will need to be accomplished step by step,” a Big Air Shougang representative told the Global Times after the press conference.

I have a good friend named Pearl, whose grandmother lives in a     1     town called Jieshi in Lufeng. Last weekend I jumped at a(n)     2     to explore the     3     of the seaside town together with Pearl. A bicycle is often more convenient than motor     4     in a town, so we rented a bike through a smartphone app, and right away     5     the beach. Upon arriving we left the bike where it     6     to be dropped off. With clouds     7     across the sky and the sun shining brightly on us, we enjoyed a great time with the water.     8    , we both got tanned (晒黑的), but the     9     memory of our laughter will     10     remain vivid in my mind.

8 . When places are well-known and popular— historical and modern alike— we might take it for granted that they’ll be around forever. But sadly, many of the world’s best known and culturally significant landmarks are in trouble.

This mountain, one of the Seven Summits, proves that even giants can fall to climate change due to the vast amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. While the mountain itself, located in Tanzania, isn’t in danger at present, its iconic snow cap might disappear—and shockingly soon. Research found that the snow cap had lost 85% of the total area of its ice fields between 1912 and 2007, and the remaining ice could be history as early as 2030.

Located in southern Peru, Machu Picchu is the remains of a huge stone castle that was built during the 15th century. These unbelievable Incan ruins are widely considered one of the must-see spots in South America. However, the site has been a victim of over-tourism, seeing the harmful effects of the crowds it gets as they wear down the structures. In addition, the area surrounding Machu Picchu has seen rapid development of the cities, as well as mudslides and fires, in recent years, leading UNESCO to work for its protection.

This stunning Floridian wildlife reserve has sadly found itself fighting for its life in recent years. As ‘the largest subtropical wilderness reserve’ in North America, according to UNESCO, it’s been a beloved travel destination for American citizens for decades, but the damage of time and human activity have not been kind to it. Its survival first came into question after it was destroyed by Hurricane Andrew in 1993. But it’s human influence that has become the primary threat, as water flow to the site has decreased and the impacts of pollution have increased, resulting in harmful algal blooms (赤潮). Its vast, diverse wildlife is more threatened than ever before.

Mentioning Sydney, Australia, most people think of the Sydney Opera House.     1     (shape) like huge shells or rising sails, this famous building on Sydney’s Bennelong Point graces the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is one of the world’s great architectural     2     (representative). The location is amazing. Water surrounds the structure on three sides, and the Royal Botanic Garden border it to the southeast. Danish architect, Jørn Utzon won an international competition     3     its design, but withdrew from the project after     4     (technique) and financing problems. Finally, its construction     5     (complete) in 1973 at a cost 14 times the original budget. By this time, Utzon had left the country, never returning to see his impressive creation.     6     (current), visitors can enjoy a performance in the Sydney Opera House, dine at one of the restaurants, or see the highlights of the Sydney Opera House on a guided tour. The structure includes theaters, studios, a concert hall, exhibition rooms     7     a cinema. Touring the Sydney Opera House is rewarding, but its     8     (astonish)architecture is perhaps best appreciated from a distance. One of the best sites to photograph this top Sydney tourist     9     (attract) is Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the Royal Botanic Garden, or visitors can catch the ferry (渡船) to take     10     photo from the water as they sail past.

10 . Jessica Nabongo longs to set foot in every nation. She started traveling at age four, along with her parents on family trips from Detroit, Michigan and completed her mission when she landed in the Seychelles, having visited 195 countries.     1     Along the way, she became a writer, photographer, and passionate advocate for inclusive and ethical(道德的) tourism .

Here she talks to us about her experience and tips for traveling better.

What inspires your adventures?

    2     I have a strong desire to see the differences and similarities in how people live everywhere in the world, even at home in the United States.

Did you ever experience any obstacles?

I don’t believe in failure.     3     Embarrassment isn’t a natural human personality, in my eyes－it comes from socialization. If I fell over in the middle of Grand Central Station, I’d laugh at myself. I firmly believe that every failure in your life is just an opportunity to learn.

    4    

My mother has always said “ humble(使谦逊) yourself.” I appreciate it because when you travel, depending on your passport, depending on your social class, depending on so many different things, you can go to places with a lot of ego（自我）, or you can humble yourself and know that everyone is equal.

What are some things people can do to travel more sustainably(可持续地)?

Single－use plastic is one of the biggest things harming Earth right now, so a lot of my focus is on that.     5     If you’ re in a restaurant and you don’ t have a big appetite, ask for a half portion. It’s about being a deliberate(慎重的) traveler, just taking that extra minute to think how I can have a lower impact on this place that I’ m in and on the planet in general.