Construction is now officially under way on what is being called the world’s first carbon-neutral city. Many other zero-carbon projects have been discussed, such as China’s infamous Dongtan eco-island in Shanghai now surrounded by controversy, however this city called Masdar, Arabic for “source,” is the first to be moving swiftly forward.
Located in the desert near to Abu Dhabi airport, Masdar will cover 6 square kilometres, house 40,000 residents, enable 1500 businesses focussed on environmental products and services, and be powered exclusively by solar, wind and geothermal energy sources.
A $22 billion initiative sponsored by the Abu Dhabi government, Masdar will apply “many principles and technologies that haven’t been used on this scale in a city anywhere in the world.”
A 10MW solar power plant has already been built to enable construction commencement, and all building materials are being re-cycled throughout the procedure.
To avoid the obvious transportation issue the city is being built on a platform for day-to-day activities, business, housing and recreation, whilst up to 4000 private but communal electric vehicles will transport individuals around the city. There will be no traditional private cars and a light-rail will also be constructed to enable access from Abu Dhabi “carbon city”. With architectural technology advances the buildings and streets will be carefully designed and hope to reduce power and water demands by up to 75%.
Interestingly the project will also rely on “future” green innovations to make the project achievable, such that the solar-power fields that will eventually power the city will not be constructed until near the end of the eight-year project.
Residents will only be accepted if working for plausible environmental, energy efficiency or renewable energy organisations.
