ZERO CARBON CITY IN ABU DHABI

This has got to be one of the most ambitious idealistic plans outside the world of science fiction. But is it a good idea "...outside the gates of Eden..."?

World’s first zero-carbon city coming up in Abu Dhabi
May 8, 2007 (Indo-Asian News Service via Yahoo News India)

WHO
The nation of Abu Dhabi, Masdar, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (ADFEC)
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company: Why are these men smiling?
WHAT
Abu Dhabi has begun construction on the world’s first zero-carbon, zero-waste city powered by renewable energy.

WHEN
Launched May 7. Expected to open in late 2009.

WHERE
Abu Dhabi is a small nation between Saudi Arabia and Oman on the western side of the Persian Gulf just south of Qatar.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Abu Dhabi in yellow. From Wikipedia (click to enlarge)
WHY
- The multi-billion dollar project is intended to create six square kilometres eco-friendly city to house energy, science and technology communities. The design combines a traditional”walled-city” layout with sustainable, zero-carbon, zero-waste technologies.
Besides the city’s pedestrian-friendly shaded walkways and narrow streets, no location will be more than 200 meters from a link in the public transport system. Around the city there will be wind and solar farms, research fields and crops, making the city to be entirely self-sustaining.
-The city will be home to Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, established in cooperation with MIT, as well as research facilities, world-class laboratories, commercial space for related-sector companies, light manufacturing facilities and a carefully selected pool of international tenants, investors and developers in advanced energy technologies.

QUOTES
Sultan Al Jaber, CEO, Masdar: 'It is a response to the need for a global focus on the development of advanced energies and sustainability-related technologies…We are creating a synergetic environment, it is a true alternative energy cluster. Here you will find researchers, students, scientists, business investment professionals and policy makers all within the same community.'