Future living

Environmentally sustainable design (ESD) is becoming an increasingly large part of architecture as the world's natural resources continue to dwindle. Terms such as low-VOC' and green roof' have entered the vernacular and while it's not unusual for buildings to exhibit many ESD principles, Masdar City in Abu Dhabi is aiming to go one step further by becoming the world's first zero-carbon, zero-waste, car-free city.

Designed by Foster + Partners and headed by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (ADFEC), the city will utilise a mix of traditional and modern practices to reach its goal, says Gerard Evenden, Foster + Partners senior partner.

"Masdar City, the first project as a result of the Masdar Initiative, is a 6km² sustainable development that uses the traditional planning principles of a walled city, together with existing technologies, to achieve a carbon neutral and zero-waste community."

The city, which is to become a centre for the development of new ideas for energy production, will be home to 50,000 residents, 1500 businesses and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, and is founded on the principle of international co-operation, says Evenden.

Story by: Trendsideas