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[pelagia]

Hey guys, I recently heard about this city in the UAE, which is supposedly sustainable. Heere is what they say about themselves: In 2008, Masdar City broke ground and embarked on a daring journey to develop the world’s most sustainable eco-city.
Through smart investments, Masdar City is successfully pioneering a “greenprint” for how cities can accommodate rapid urbanisation and dramatically reduce energy, water and waste.
The city, which combines ancient Arabic architectural techniques with modern technology and captures prevailing winds is naturally cooler and more comfortable during the high summer temperatures.
But the sun is also a blessing. Harnessing the sun’s rays, Masdar uses clean energy generated on site from rooftop solar technology and one of the largest photovoltaic installations in the Middle East.
At the city’s core is an innovation engine. The city is growing its neighbourhoods around the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, a research university dedicated to cutting-edge solutions in the fields of energy and sustainability. The institute is Masdar City’s nucleus, which extends a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship throughout the city. Companies can foster close ties with the university and partner to spark economic growth and accelerate breakthrough technologies to market.
With a few thousand people living and working in Masdar City, it is on its way to realising its vision. But this is only the beginning. Masdar City continues to add new businesses, schools, restaurants, apartments and much more, creating the diversity of any major, modern city. When complete, 40,000 people will live in Masdar City, with an additional 50,000 commuting every day to work and study.
So I was wondering what you thought about this - are entirely sustainable cities possible at all? I am also not sure to what extent this one is - I know they had to invest a whole lot of money, but can that really be called sustainble if only a small percentage of the world can afford it?

[pelagia]

Somehow couldn't get rid of the annoying grey highlighting that was on their website! :P

[eds]

Masdar: The City of the Future

Masdar: part 2

[pelagia]

But what is your opinion on it? Is it really the "future"? Or just a fancy project for people who had too much money and didn't know what else to do with it?

[eds]

Iran city hits suffocating heat index of 165 degrees, near world record.
. . . On Thursday, Baghdad soared to 122 degrees.
. . . The Washington Post

Is it really the "future"?  ?  ?