Abu Dhabi’s vision for a zero-carbon, zero-waste and car-free city is an unusual development for a city that has 10 per cent of the world’s oil reserves and so is not short of energy. But the Abu Dhabi government has set this goal for Masdar city, which looks set to win the race to become the world’s first eco-city (as Greenwasher reported in May).

Masdar has been designed to be powered by wind energy and solar power from photovoltaic farms. Now that building work is underway, and solar testing facilities have begun to feed the city’s grid, the developers hope that Masdar’s example can persuade other parts of the United Arab Emirates to follow suit.

“It’s going to be wider than just Masdar,” promises Masdar city property development unit director Khaled Awad. He adds: “We’re going to challenge conventional theories on urban development and we want input from all stakeholders from day one, regionally and globally.”

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