Enter the Planet’s First 0-Carbon and 0-Waste City
Published by Sierra, on February 29th, 2008 7:25 pm, in the categories: Gadgets, News
Back in 2007, at Cityscape Dubai, the world’s largest business-to-business real estate investment and development event, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology presented an amazing project consisting of building a 0-carbon and 0-waste city with the finalizing date estimated for the year 2009.
This area was projected to cover the Masdar Institute surroundings, research facilities, high-end laboratories, commercial spaces, light manufacturing facilities, residential space for employees, a science museum, and a special zone for international investors and developers of the next-generation energy solutions and technologies.
“There is nothing like this in the world. We are creating a synergetic environment; it is a true alternative energy cluster,” sayd back in 2007, Sultan Al Jaber, Masdar CEO. “Here you will find researchers, students, scientists, business investment professionals, and policy makers all within the same community. It will be a living example of sustainable development that will position Abu Dhabi and Masdar at the forefront of intelligent resource utilization. It will combine the talent, expertise and resources to enable the technological breakthroughs necessary for truly sustainable development.”
A 0-carbon city means no cars, compact network of streets, renewable energy power, digital services and real-time data access.
The environment will include wind, research plantations and photovoltaic farms, while the city would offer to the companies government services, hundred per cent foreign ownership, transparent laws, tax-free environment and intellectual property protection, among others.
What started as an ambitious project continues today with a new plan in collaboration with WWF for the so-called Masdar City, located near the Abu Dhabi International Airport and covering six-square kilometers.
The new Sustainability Action Plan is based on the following ten principles of One Planet Living global initiative and will become fully functional in 2015:
-zero carbon;
-zero waste;
-sustainable transport;
-local and sustainable materials;
-local and sustainable food;
-sustainable water;
-natural habitats and wildlife;
-culture and heritage;
-equity and fair trade;
-health and happiness.
While the electricity will come from photovoltaic panels, the cooling process will be ensured by concentrated solar power, the water will come from a solar-powered desalinization plant, and the fields will be irrigated by the grey water and treated waste coming from the water treatment plant.
Masdar City construction will start in a couple of months and will become the home of international businesses and top leaders in the alternative energy sector.
“Today Abu Dhabi is embarking on a journey to become the global capital of the renewable energy revolution. Abu Dhabi is the first hydrocarbon-producing nation to have taken such a significant step towards sustainable living,” said Jean-Paul Jeanrenaud, Director of WWF International’s One Planet Living initiative. “Masdar is an example of the paradigm shift that is needed. The strategic vision of the Abu Dhabi government is a case study in global leadership. We hope that Masdar City will prove that sustainable living can be affordable and attractive in all aspects of human living – from businesses and manufacturing facilities to universities and private homes.”
“Masdar City will question conventional patterns of urban development, and set new benchmarks for sustainability and environmentally friendly design – the students, faculty and businesses located in Masdar City will not only be able to witness innovation first-hand, but they will also participate in its development,” declared Dr. Sultan Al Jaber.
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