Throughout my years of Architecture and Urban design I have been reading about, studying and making presentations on the world’s most sustainable eco-city. How could I miss an opportunity to explore it when I got a chance to travel the same land - The Masdar City at Abu Dhabi, an experiment in Urban Design.
Masdar City a “greenprint” for how cities can accommodate rapid urbanisation and dramatically reduce energy, water and waste.
Foster + Partners designed a car-free city scape, with Jetson-style driverless electric cars shuttling passengers between buildings incorporating built-in shades and kitted out with smart technologies to resist the scorching desert heat, and keep cooling costs.
“A Sustainable City enables all its citizen to meet their own needs and to enhance their well being without degrading the natural world or the lives of other people, now or in the future.
Conditions For Sustainable City:
•Sustainable pattern of production –consumption -transportation-settlement.
•Pollution prevention
•Respect for the carrying capacity of ecosystems;
•The preservation of opportunities for future generations.
Aims to be one of the world’s sustainable urban developments.
MASDAR = RESOURCE (ARABIC TERM)
Area 7 sq.km : 700 hectares
Mixed use city
Population:
40,000 residents + 50,000 commuting = 90,000 people
DESIGN CONCEPT :
A Sustainable City providing the highest quality of life with the lowest environmental footprint.
100% Renewable Energy
Equivalent Zero Waste
Carbon Neutral
Fossil Fuel Free Zone
VISION
Masdar City serves as an open technology platform in a large scale, real-world environment – and in particular, with consideration to the region’s climate conditions and consumption patterns.
Masdar operates through five integrated units, including an independent, research-driven graduate university, and seeks to become a leader in making renewable energy a real, viable business and Abu Dhabi a global centre of excellence in the renewable energy and clean technology category.
Objectives of the Project :
1. To achieve the Masdar vision of a carbon neutral and zero waste-to-landfill development and clean technology cluster with a minimum ecological footprint.
2. To ensure a consistent urban development within the Master plan framework, especially at the pedestrian level.
3. To ensure a built environment which encourages pedestrian movement by optimising the microclimate of the street.
4. To create a car free development with public transport in close proximity.
5. To create a true mixed use development
6. To encourage a change in living and thinking that supports the Masdar vision.
Architecture at Masdar. The core of Masdar City is in place, an innovation engine. The city is growing its neighbourhoods around the Masdar research university dedicated to energy and sustainability.
Exploring courtyards at Masdar City. Harnessing the sun’s rays, Masdar uses clean energy generated on site from rooftop solar technology and one of the largest photovoltaic installations in the Middle East.
Fun ride in PRT. (Personal Rapid Transit) As the world’s most sustainable eco-neighbourhood, Masdar City features an integrated, smart transportation network that makes the community accessible and liveable. Walkable and pedestrian-friendly city design encourages and promotes zero-carbon public transportation options. A driverless, point-to-point personal rapid transit system(PRT).
Shaded lanes, Narrow passages and Alleys at Masdar city. The city, combines ancient Arabic architectural techniques with modern technology and captures prevailing winds keeping it naturally cooler and more comfortable during the high summer temperatures.
As a sustainable urban development the Masdar City serves as a “greenprint” for cities of the future. It seamlessly blends traditional Arabic architecture with state-of-the-art technology to maximise energy efficiency.