The Millennium Dome as One of the Most Important Projects of the UK Millennium Projects - Research Paper Example

 Introduction The Millennium Projects of UK had been established to reshape the urban generation during the turn of the 21st century. There are 10,000 UK Millennium Projects in total with funds primarily from national lottery (£2.5 billion) and private industry funding (£2 billion). The range of projects includes small scale projects, ecological and architectural landmarks. Each of these projects have their own contribution and important in the goal of the UK Government to improve the cultural and social consciousness of the people (Hall, 2001; Millennium Commission, 2003). Millennium Dome is the most prominent of the UK Millennium Projects. It was established in Greenwich with a fund approximately £780 million (Hall, 2001). The said project is considered as focal point of the millennium exhibition (Carling and Seeley, 1998). The main institutions that collaborated in the provision of grants related to the Millennium Projects include Arts Councils for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Millennium Commission, National Heritage Memorial Fund, National Lottery Charities Board and the Sports Councils for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (Hall, 2001). The study undertaken is aimed to present the different attributes of the Millennium Dome. Specifically, the research is focused on the presentation of the history and development of the structure, the public opinion regarding the establishment, the sustainability and the architectural features of the Dome. Ultimately, it is aimed to analyse the different factors that are related to the said Millennium Project. History and Development The Millennium Dome is the embodiment of the main objective of the UK Millennium Projects which is to present structures and endeavours that represents the success of the country throughout the century. Based on the statement presented by Prime Minister Tony Blair, the Millennium Dome represents the rise of the society in the face of difficulties and hardships. From the location chosen to the collaboration of different artists and professionals in the completion of the project, it can be considered as one of the most important undertaking of the century (Carling and Seeley, 1998). Upon the establishment of the Millennium Commission in February 1994, the main goal is to be able to develop projects that can be showcased in the celebration of the turn of the millennium in the 31st of December 1999. In the said process the primary goal is to find the location and choose the company that can manage such responsibility. Basically, the location of the said exhibition is the main reason for the establishment of the Dome. Aside from the fact that there is a need to choose between the two locations namely Greenwich and the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, the main establishment that will serve as the venue is still in question (Carling and Seeley, 1998). In 1997, prior to the completion of the project, issues of the end of the Millennium Commission, which was supposed to run from 1995-1997, had been decided to continue until the completion of the project and the Greenwich exhibition through the New Millennium Experience Company but with five conditions. These conditions include the assurance that the funds would not be a load to the public. In addition, the main purpose of being an inspiration, legacy, and a national event should be upheld. Lastly, the operating company is needed to be given clear-cut responsibilities specifically in the management of the project (Carling and Seeley, 1998). On July 9, 1997, the responsibilities of the Members of the Board and the main operating company took effect. The New Millennium Experience Company along with the Board Minister Without Portfolio, Peter Mandelson, Michael Grade, Sir Alan Cockshaw and Ruth Mackenzie are the main group responsible for the commencement of the Exhibition in the 31st of December, 1999. Upon the establishment of the strengthened committee, the specific goals such as the specific location, the structure and the number of people to be accommodated are taken into consideration (Carling and Seeley, 1998; Hall, 2001). Requirements and Issues Prior to Construction of the Dome After strengthening of The New Millennium Experience Company, other issues are put into focus. Millennium Dome became the most important structure for Greenwich Exhibition in the celebration of the new century. It is considered as the ‘largest single construction project’ in Europe which covers a total of 180 acre of land area. The location chosen for the project is the Greenwich peninsula. The said location represents the goals of the Project which is rising above difficulties due to the fact that the site had not been used for more than 10 years. The selected site is a steel stockyard and old munitions factory (Carling and Seeley, 1998). It is classified as an urban waterfront. The climate in the area, which is also important in the construction of the structure is mild temperate (MacDonald, 2001; MacDonald, 2003). Millennium Dome is a design of Architect Richard Rogers. The construction had been undertaken in 1999. The building type was described as exposition hall which is constructed in a system of fabric enclosure and tensile support. The style of the Dome is classified as High-Tech Modern (MacDonald, 2001; MacDonald, 2003). The Dome measures 320 m for the diameter and 50 m for the height at the centre of the structure. The planned Exhibition is composed of one theatrical show and 13 exhibitions with the general theme “Time to make a difference” (Carling and Seeley, 1998). Even the activities related to the Exhibition had been planned prior to establishment of the Millennium Dome. On the onset of the new century, the whole year starting from the 1st of January 2000, the Exhibition and the related activities across the country will be undertaken. This is in line with the objective to turn the activity to a national culture and tradition. One of the important goals of the said activities is the promotion and initiation of regional ‘challenges’ to make the different parts of the country participate. The said move had been initiated as early as April 1998 (Carling and Seeley, 1998). Other issues considered by the Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee. One specific issue is the capability of the different types of public transportation as well as the venue the structure to accommodate the total number of people that are estimated to join the activity. A total of 12 million visitors is the objective of the project as perceived prior to the construction itself. The said number would have an average of 100 thousand people visiting in a day. The focus of the enhancement of the transport system is the connection between the important locations such as the Experience, Greenwich and Greenwich Town. Basically, the project is prioritizing the public transportation due to the fact that parking is reserved for important visitors, disabled and organizers. For most of the people who wanted the experience, a parking space is available offsite (Carling and Seeley, 1998). Based on the study of different needs and requirements for the successful Millennium Exhibition in the Dome, it can be considered that even other related issues are needed to be taken care of such as the transportation. It is a convenient event that prior to the conception of the project, the Jubilee Line Extension (JLE) in the locality had already been initiated. Other forms of transportation that had been noted are railways, through River Thames, private vehicles, cable car which shall be established, connecting roads and bicycles and transportation on site (Carling and Seeley, 1998). Establishment of the Dome The initial steps in the construction of the Dome had been undertaken in June 1997 and on the 13th of October in the same year the first mast had been installed. On January 28, 1998, an update on the construction by Peter Mandelson showed that the construction of the project and other related issues were being undertaken smoothly and on time (Carling and Seeley, 1998). The Millennium Dome had been built with the material referred to as PTFE or polytetrafluoroethylene. This had been chosen over PVC on basis of environmental concerns and for the strength and durability of the material (Carling and Seeley, 1998). The dome is composed of a network of cables that is attached to cladding and radial cables. The said architectural style is referred to synclastic cable network which is comparatively easier as compared to the past technologies. The length of 82 feet or 25 meters in between nodes is the standard design of the structure. The main strength of the said design is reinforced by the hanger cables with the masts as the main support. The specific design of the dome is the main feature of the Millennium Dome. The said structure is composed of 24 masts with a total diameter of 1175 feet or 358 meters. In addition to the said network of cables is a circumferential cable system for stability and strength (MacDonald, 2001; MacDonald, 2003). Millennium Dome is the realization of the goals related to the enhancement of the view and consciousness of the people in UK in the fields of science, education, technology and culture. These are objectives incorporated in the establishment of the structures such as the Dome that are situated in areas where realization of these goals can be achieved. The application of advanced and improved construction and architectural methods and techniques is also another important goal in the construction of the Millennium Dome (Hall, 2001, p.167). Survey of Opinions Through the construction of the Millennium Dome, the view and perspective of the public is an important factor in the continuous achievement of success of the structure. There are opposing views on the performance of the Dome. Different groups appreciate and criticize different aspects of the structure. One notable study presented a particular perspective of the people regarding the construction and operation of the Dome. The qualitative study explored a sample population composed of 8 focus groups comprising of 8 respondents in each group. The groups had been stratified based on parameters such as gender, social class and place of origin. The study is aimed to determine the level of enjoyment and satisfaction of the members of the family upon the visit to the famous Millennium Dome. The study had been undertaken in the Manchester, Birmingham in Greater London areas from February 14 to 17, 2000 (Langford, 2000). There are two sides considered by the public in visiting the Dome. The positive side is related to the attraction of the Millennium Dome in relation to the millennium fever which had worked for the advantage of the structure even after the turn of the century. On the other side, the negative publicity is also present due to the cases wherein the experience had failed the expectations of the visitors (Langford, 2000). Based on the results of the research, the Dome had been considered to fail the efforts in terms of marketing based on the operations and the experience that can be achieved. This can be attributed to the attitude of the chief executive, Jennie Page regarding the lack of effort to correct the bad publicity regarding the Dome. According to her, good or bad, publicity is important for the Millennium. But this had caused the decline of the reputation and the interest of the people to visit the Dome. This can be attributed to the preconceived notion which can affect people who had no experience in visiting the structure such as the sample population targeted by the study (Langford, 2000; McGuigan and Gilmore, 2002). Another hindrance to the achievement of the goals of the Millennium Dome is the cost of visit. In addition to the cost, the experience of reaching the site is physically challenging and exhausting. People had described the experience to be not worth-it of the effort in travel and expenses. This view is specifically gathered during free school trips offered. Based on the people who experienced it, the lectures and seminars given can be considered to fail the goal and the advertisements. Although the project which is referred to as the ‘Body Zone’ is greatly publicised, the content is lacking (Langford, 2000). These two sides of the reputation of the Millennium Dome can be considered to have effects on the performance and operation of the dome since the turn of the century. It is then important to give attention to these issues to improve both the reputation and the services of the Dome to be able to maintain the goal of the structure in the first place which is making a difference for cultural and social consciousness. Sustainability of the Project Sustainability is an important issue in relation to the construction of Millennium Dome. On the onset of construction, one of the main goals of the structure is to be able to serve the purpose of being an important venue for cultural, social and artistic expressions. To be able to continuously achieve the said aim, the sustainability of the structure in different aspects is fundamental. The factors that are included in the issue are the strength and durability of the physical structure, the financial support and sources and the upholding of aims and goals. The physical structure is one of the focal points in terms of the sustainability due to the importance of the durability and strength of the structure and the materials used. Although the style and materials used can be viewed to be relatively weak, the architectural and construction skills and techniques used are commendable. Cladding is an advanced and simplified version compared to earlier technologies. The total characteristic of the structure is strong and versatile at the same time (MacDonald, 2001; MacDonald, 2003). Another issue in terms of sustainability of Millennium Dome is related to financial support and sources. One of the said points is related to the provision of jobs. From the construction of the Dome to the operation, numerous jobs were generated. Through the course of the construction 2,000 jobs were generated while an additional 5,000 jobs were required during the course of its operation (Carling and Seeley, 1998). One danger that can be faced is the future lack of support since there are issues of the Dome failing to reach its goals in terms of social and cultural upholding of consciousness. Analysis and Conclusion The Millennium Dome is one of the most important projects referred to as the UK Millennium Projects. It had been a very successful structure during the turn of the century when it had exhibited an important program for the year 2000. Through the years though, there are issues that it had been failing in the achievement of goals due to the lack of solid efforts in terms of the programs and projects undertaken under its roof. In the age wherein there is a continuous trend for technological prowess, the structure such as the Millennium Dome is in need of a continuous supply of innovative ideas to be able to maintain its reputation. Due to the fact that the architecture of the Dome had limitations on itself, it is important to compensate on other areas to be able to succeed. Bibliography Carling, P. and Seeley, A. (1998) The Millennium Dome. House of Commons Library Business & Transport Section. Hall, T. (2001) Urban Geography. New Fetter Lane, London: Routledge. Langford, A. (2000) What does the public really think about the Dome? [online]. Available from: . [Accessed 16 May 2010]. MacDonald, A.J. (2001) Structure and Architecture. 2nd Edition. Architectural Press. MacDonald, A.J. (2003) Long-Span Structures. Architecture Week, 139. Matthews, K. (1999) Millennium Dome [online]. Available from: . [Accessed 16 May 2010]. McGuigan, J. and Gilmore, A. (2002) The Millennium Dome: Sponsoring, Meaning and Visiting. International Journal of Cultural Policy, 8.1, p.1-20. Millennium Commission (2003) Millennium Projects [online]. Available from: . [Accessed 16 May 2010]. Read More