Touring an audacious future in the UAE

For a university campus, Masdar is eerily empty. Though situated near the capital’s airport, Abu Dhabi’s zero-carbon, zero-waste city powered entirely by renewable energy, is a tranquil snapshot of futuristic city-planning.

Okay, it wasn’t quite zero-carbon, as much of the construction was completed using normal fossil fuels rather than renewable energy, and its plans for a thriving community of 40,000 residents by 2018 has now been pushed back to 2030. So the initial vision hasn’t gone to plan, but as an experiment in sustainable design and a quasi-theme park for sustainability, it’s certainly successful.

The urban planning solutions merge clean tech and renewable energy with Middle Eastern architecture refined over generations to cope with the Gulf’s harsh climate. The wavy terracotta-coloured walls of the residential blocks contrast with the sharp-edged incubator building and sci-fi vibes of the shiny domed knowledge hall.

In a land—and indeed, a region—dominated by cities built on oil wealth, Masdar City is a breath of fresh air. It offers a tantalising glimpse into what the 22nd century could look like if we get our act together. Mubadala, the creators of Masdar City, call their city a ‘greenprint for how cities can accommodate rapid urbanisation and dramatically reduce energy, water, and waste’ and say they are on a ‘daring journey to develop the world’s most sustainable eco-city’.

It’s definitely a greenprint. As a tourist destination, the sci-fi adventure begins in the car park. The city is entirely pedestrianised save for the Personal Rapid Transport (PRT) system of autonomous vehicles. These futuristic little pods can seat up to four passengers and offer leather seats and touch screen navigation systems; pressing play starts the vehicle and off it rolls along corridors located under street level using a combination of magnets and sensors to navigate its way into the city.

Visitors are deposited underground, greeted by sleek architecture, a spiral staircase, gold tiles and an indoor waterfall, before emerging into the sunlight at the top of the stairs. Suddenly, you’re no longer in Abu Dhabi; you’re in the future.

For a tiny city, it can be surprisingly difficult to find your way through the maze of narrow streets but the wandering is all part of the joy. The ambiance is calming and the streets feel cool—indeed, they are. Up to 20 degrees cooler than the surrounding desert. The entire city is oriented northeast-southwest to optimise shading and aid natural airflow, and the jewel in the city’s crown is its traditional wind tower designed to channel cool air into the city. Narrow spaces between buildings and light reflecting roofs redirect sunlight and keep the temperature down, while also making traversing the city simple by foot. Fountains flow water over surfaces to lower the temperature and add to the beauty of what could have been a steel monument to efficient construction.

Instead, traditional Arabic style meets modern design; tourism meets innovation meets research. Masdar City is home to the Khalifa University Masdar Institute, dedicated to scientific research into sustainability of all kinds. The entire city is a test site for renewable energy and sustainable urban development. All this with the feel of a film set.

Before Masdar’s methods can become reality for the rest of the country and region, the public need preparing for the future. A visit to Masdar City shows the future looks pretty good and sustainable living is more than possible. ■

Sustainability

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