Green 'zero carbon' city created
Monday, 11 Feb 2008 13:22
Masdar city will use renewable energy including solar panels
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Work has begun to create the world's first zero-carbon, zero-waste and car-free city in Abu Dhabi.
General Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi, marked the first breaking of the ground for Masdar city by laying a virtual cornerstone on Saturday.
Developers behind Masdar - "the source" in Arabic - hope to attract full-time residents and aim to have sustainable transportation and environmentally-friendly practices.
These include water and waste conservation, renewable energy and green buildings and industrial materials.
The city will take advantage of its location by using photovoltaic cells and concentrated solar power.
It is estimated that these practices will save the equivalent of $2 billion in oil over the next 25 years. The city will also create more than 70,000 jobs.
"We are creating a city where residents and commuters will live the highest quality of life with the lowest environmental footprint," said Dr Sultan Al Jaber.
"Masdar city will become the world's hub for future energy. By taking sustainable development and living to a new level, it will lead the world in understanding how all future cities should be built."
Construction on the city is set to be completed in 2016. Developers estimate that it will eventually be home to 1,500 businesses and 50,000 residents.