SUSTAINABILITY ARAB NATIONS
Masdar shows the way to a sustainable future
planned city located in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE. It is designed to be powered entirely by the sun and other clean, renewable and sustainable energy sources, as well as being free of cars. Masdar also aims to commercialise innovative technologies and sustainable design, which will help drive the economic diversification of the region and make a contribution towards sustainability. The Masdar Initiative began in 2006
M
and is a project from the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, a subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company, the UAE state-owned company that invests in energy, telecommunication, aerospace, automotives, healthcare, real estate and ship building sectors. The Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company was established to develop new clean energy techniques and to build, establish and manage its core project, Masdar City, located 17km inland from Abu Dhabi. Masdar will not share
the same looks as the other big UAE cities such as Dubai or Abu Dhabi. There will be more similarities to ancient Arab cities, in the sense that the city is intended to be compact with narrow streets – and no skyscrapers. The narrow streets will allow the buildings to shade each other and special screens will help control the heat. There will also be wind towers to ventilate homes and offices using natural convection. Masdar will be limited by a perimeter wall, which has
asdar, the world’s first carbon-neutral, zero waste-to-landfill community, is a
been designed to keep the hot desert winds out, while the narrow streets will also help to funnel cooler breezes across the city. Irrigation of crops outside the city
and landscaping in the city walls will be done using grey water and treated waste. The city will attempt to reduce waste to zero, as biological waste will be used to produce fertilisers, while others
“The water consumption will be 60 per cent lower than a city the same size as Masdar, as approximately 80 per cent of the water used will be recycled”
may be used as waste incineration as another source of energy. The water consumption will be 60 per cent lower than a city the same size as Masdar, as approximately 80 per cent of the water used will be recycled. Industrial waste will also be recycled. Masdar is designed
to be free of cars and foot-friendly, which will improve air quality
substantially reduce greenhouse gases. A Personal Rapid Transit system will transport city residents in driverless vehicles guided by magnetic sensors and powered by renewable energy. Masdar is projected house
approximately 50,000 people and have around 1500 businesses that focus on sustainable products and services. The centrepiece of the city is the MIST – the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent research institute developed in conjunction with the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). The Institute became operational in the second half of 2009 and had its first semester conclude with 27 faculty members and 88 students (from 22 countries) with projects in renewable energy. The Institute offers Masters and doctoral-level degree programs focused in science and engineering of advanced-energy sustainable technologies. The institute will work with the government and industry in order to develop the use of innovative technology. Masdar is being created to be a
centre for developing new technologies, but most of all it will certainly make a contribution towards bigger goals – a better environment and a sustainable future for humankind. p
AUSTRALIA AND THE ARAB COUNTRIES | 2010 97
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