The first phase of the world’s first zero carbon city, called Masdar City near Abu Dhabi in the UAE, is all set to come up in 2015 after a delay of some three years. It will be the world’s fi rst carbon neutral, zero waste, and fully sustainable city. The Phase 1 of the city, the initial 1,000,000 square meters (0.39 sq mt), is likely to be completed in 2015. Final completion is scheduled to between 2020 and 2025.
It will use clean-tech, solar, wind and hydrogen power plant to run the six square kilometer city. The initial population will be about 7,000 and could go up to 50,000. Transport system is public and uses only electric vehicles.
It expects to house 1,500 businesses, primarily commercial and manufacturing facilities specializing in environment friendly products. More than 60,000 workers are expected to commute to the city daily.
Masdar is a sustainable mixed-use development designed to be very friendly to pedestrians and cyclists. It will have terracotta walls decorated with arabesque patterns.
From a distance, the city looks like a cube. The temperature in the streets is generally 15 to 20°C cooler than the surrounding desert. The temperature difference is due to Masdar’s unique construction. A 45-meter high wind tower modeled on traditional Arab designs sucks air from above and pushes a cooling breeze through Masdar’s streets. The site is raised above the surrounding land to create a slight cooling effect. Buildings are clustered close together to create streets and walkways shielded from the sun. Masdar City was designed by UK fi rm Foster and Partners. Recognizing the efforts of UAE leaders, the International Renewable Energy Agency has decided to move its headquarters to this city.
