Dear BEST society,
It is sometimes in the most hostile environments that the most
enduring lessons are learned. The accomplishment of urban growth in
desert climates is a testament to this, where no resources can afford to
be wasted.
As far as natural resources go, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is
plentiful in fossil fuels and not much else. We have seen the arrival
of futuristic, fashionable cities, such as Dubai; additionally, the UAE
has sought to establish a scholarly, practical approach with Masdar
City. Masdar City is a government funded tract near Abu Dhabi that
serves as a hub of academia, technology innovation, and green
architecture demonstration. The UAE continues to incorporate a
cosmopolitan approach, as the city hosts entities ranging from a
university partnered with MIT to a Siemens research and development
branch.
Masdar City has been eco-friendly from the outset. All
transportation was originally organized for pedestrians, bicyclists, and
"electric mass transit systems," disallowing use of conventional
automobiles, though now the city permits electric cars. It may seem
strange that a city founded on oil money would be so insistent to eschew
petroleum technologies. There are two reasons why the government has
pursued this policy in Masdar and may apply it elsewhere: (1)
diversification away from oil is essential to remain economically
sustainable and (2) every barrel of oil not consumed can be sold abroad.
Masdar City is powered through renewable energy and kept
climatically temperate with traditional Arab cooling techniques. The
buildings use 50% less energy and water. Urbanization strategies and
technologies developed by Masdar City may contribute to sustainable city
development everywhere.
"Oil-rich United Arab Emirates aims to be a sustainable energy pioneer"
- Andrew Winston - The Guardian - June 13, 2014
http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/uae-clean-energy-sustainable-technologies-masdar
"The Greenest Little Oil State Around: The United Arab Emirates" -
Lizabeth Paulat - Care2.com - June 19, 2014
http://www.care2.com/causes/the-greenest-little-oil-state-around-the-united-arab-emirates.html
"First residents move into $22bn Masdar City" - Utilities ME Staff -
Utilities-me - October 7, 2010
http://www.utilities-me.com/article-826-first-residents-move-into-22bn-masdar-city/
**This article has an accurate picture of Masdar City as it is being
constructed**
Cheers,
Alec Spaulding
Undergraduate Intern
2014 BioEnergy & Sustainability School
Soil and Water Science Department
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