Case study 8: Masdar City, UAE

Case study 8: Masdar City, UAE

Case study 8: Masdar City, UAE

Features Masdar is an Arabic word meaning “the source” The city is a car-free zone allowing clean, pure, high-quality air Public transportation is available within 250 metres, anywhere in the city Driverless electric vehicles (up to 40mph), metro and train systems carry people and freight Pedestrianised streets are narrow to create cool shade from hot dessert heat The city employs one large smart grid electrical network Aesthetically inspired by traditional Arabian cities Household waste is used to create energy, household water is used to irrigate vegetation 100% renewable energy, including: photovoltaic; concentrated solar power; geothermal; general waste; wind; evacuated tube collectors (any surplus is exported to UAE national grid) Organisations within the city teach and promote the philosophy (e.g. Olympic legacy) 10MW solar power plant built initially (to generate power required in construction) City perimeter walls block hot dessert winds, northeast orientation reduces exposure to hot dessert sun and buildings’ roofs are shaped in a curve form to encourage air flow