A Spectacularly Sustainable Zero Carbon, Zero Waste Desert City

The term sustainable has become one of the it words for legions of green-minded individuals, but when pressed, people tend to make it far more technical and drawn out than it needs to be. Fortunately, the Dictionary of Sustainable Management offers a succinct explanation of sustainable that will probably resonate with all of us -- it is an effort to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In other words, whatever we choose to engage in should be sustained indefinitely without depleting natural resources. While that seems like a pretty reasonable goal, it is somewhat alien to the human species because up until now, we've been partying like it's 1999.

We've significantly depleted the Earth's resources, damaged (and in some cases wiped out) myriad ecosystems and we've generated a massive volume of waste that we continue to bury, burn or dump in our oceans. Our penchant for using up and effortlessly discarding items is so all encompassing that it has even extended into outer space via the all-too-detectable ring of NASA junk that orbits the planet.

People are starting to panic though, perhaps because the planet we've ravaged is finally starting to revolt with the rapid polar ice shelf melt off and extreme weather changes. We're finally realizing that the issue of sustainability truly does affect all of us on a global level and many of today's finest creative and scientific minds are working intently on developing future living solutions that work with Mother Nature rather than against her.

One such intriguing example is United Arab Emirates' Masdar City, a zero-carbon, zero-waste sustainable development project that will span 6 million square meters of the heart of the desert just 17 kilometers from Abu Dhabi. The very existance of Las Vegas, while anything but the poster child for sustainability, proves that a vast expanse of barren desert land can most definitely be transformed into a thriving cultural oasis. The major drawback is that does come at great cost to the environment considering all of the systems that must be implemented to bring water, cooled air and power in.

The Masdar City development team (Laboratory for Visionary Architecture -- LAVA) managed to address all of those concerns in the most eco-friendly manner while also using the structure of ancient walled cities as their main inspiration. The result is a comprehensive architectural and design spectacle that will be completed by 2016 in seven distinct construction phases and yield a fully functioning renewably powered city.

The Masdar slogan is, "One day, all cities will be like this." While a rather costly endeavor (at more than $20 Billion US dollars), it exceeds the current highest standards of green building energy and waste efficiency, material technologies, and integrated design thinking. Unlike traditional construction projects that rely on conventional power sources, this one will draw all of the power it needs to erect Masdar City's structures and assorted systems via a comprehensive photovoltaic rooftop array.

 Among the most appealing features of the city is the incorporation of 100% renewable power sources such as solar and wind farms as well as plantation and research fields, ensuring an entirely self sustaining system. The city will be linked to Abu Dhabi's international airport via a network of pre-existing roads and newly constructed magnetic public transportation routes. Entirely car free, Masdar City will easily accomodate pedestrians since there will be just a 200 meter distance between the city center and all forms of alternative, eco-friendly transportation, (including individual solar powered pods that drive commuters to their desired destinations).

Its shaded walkways and narrow streets will provide relief from the extreme Abu Dhabi climate while also creating a pedestrian friendly environment. Pedestrians will be treated to interactive light poles, heat sensitive technology and water features that are all triggered by kinetic energy. Giant umbrellas mimicking the natural action of sunflowers will continuously shade Masdar City occupants during daylight hours, reserving any heat that they capture until nightfall so that it may be released into the plaza. Masdar City will also feature adjustable building facade angles that will deflect or make the most of solar glare along with wall surface materials embedded with energy that respond to changes in temperature. The main design inspiration of key buildings in the city centre is based on geographical landmarks like canyons, wadis and other points of visual interest found in nature. To complete the whole sustainable vision, roof gardens will integrate food production and the ultilization of organic food waste as well as water efficiency and energy generation.