THE FUTURE IS NOW.
Set in the UAE, 17 km south-east from Abu Dhabi, is the world’s finest functioning eco-city, Masdar City. Initiated in 2006, construction for this planned city project began in 2008 by Masdar, a subsidiary of the Mubadala Development Company. Masdar City was designed by Foster and Partners with a view to accommodate rapid urbanisation and dramatically reduce energy, water and waste.
“FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL BE LIVING IN A WORLD THAT IS VERY DIFFERENT THAT TO WHICH WE ARE ACCUSTOMED. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE PREPARE OURSELVES AND OUR CHILDREN FOR THAT NEW WORLD.” – The late Sheikh Zayed bin Saltan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the United Arab Emirates.
At the core of the city is Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, a research university dedicated to cutting-edge solutions in the fields of energy and sustainability. The institute extends a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship throughout the city.
Currently, a few thousand people are living and working in Masdar City. The city continues to add new businesses, schools, restaurants and apartments. When complete, 40,000 people will live in Masdar City.
Owner and founder of the Obvious Choice, Zaritha van Wyngaardt, checked in at Masdar City on her recent trip to Abu Dhabi.
The city combines ancient Arabic architectural techniques with modern technology. Temperature in the streets of Masdar is 15 to 20 °C cooler than the surrounding desert due to the city’s unique construction:
- A 45-meter-high (148 ft) wind tower, based on traditional Arab designs, sucks air from above and pushes a cooling breeze through the streets;
- The site is raised above the surrounding land;
- Streets and walkways are shielded from the sun by buildings that are clustered close together.
Although the desert sun can be harsh, it counts as a huge blessing, contributing to the city’s vision for the use of clean energy. Masdar City’s energy is generated on site from rooftop solar technology.
Transportation options include:
- A driverless, point-to-point personal rapid transit system;
- A ride-sharing programme featuring electric vehicles;
- Accessible and strategically positioned car parks.
Owner and founder of the Obvious Choice, Zaritha van Wyngaardt, checked in at Masdar City on her recent trip to Abu Dhabi. For images and highlights such as a driverless car-ride, click here.
ABOUT THE OBVIOUS CHOICE:
Zaritha van Wyngaardt, is passionate about travelling and offers corporate clients, as well as individuals, the opportunity to travel to vibrant destinations to experience, energise and revitalise.
For further information, visit the Obvious Choice website at www.obviouschoice.co.za or send Zaritha an email at zaritha@obviouschoice.co.za.
