Hot on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Arabs Building First Green City

Run on solar power, Masdar City will cost $22 billion and take 8 years to construct

By Caroline Zimmerman, Newser User

Posted Feb 10, 2008 5:14 PM CST

(Newser) – Earth's first carbon-free city is being built in the United Arab Emirates and will take 8 years and $22 billion to complete, the BBC reports. Called Masdar City, it will run on solar power and shuttle residents on travel pods via magnetic tracks. But critics say the $22 billion project, funded by the city of Abu Dhabi, belies the oil-rich emirate's overall gobbling of resources.

A green city of 50,000 residents and 1,500 businesses would also do little to reduce Abu Dhabi's sky-high oil consumption, and will likely become a hermetic haven for the rich, experts say. The city is nonetheless part of a $15 billion, 5-year green plan and will monetize all of its carbon cutbacks. "Such innovative financing has never been applied to the scale of an entire city," Masdar's chief exec said.

From left to right, UAE Minister of Energy Mohammad bin Dhaen Al Hamli, U.S. Secretary of Energy Sam Bodman and Vivienne Cox Chief Executive of BP Alternative Energy take part at the keynote session 1... (Associated Press)

U.S. President George W. Bush, left, meets with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Shiek Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, right, at the Saadiyat Island Cultural District Exhibition and Masdar Exhibition at the Emirates... (Associated Press)

Masdar City is the largest sustainability project ever launched by a government. (Getty Images)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

To Thwart Iran, US Plans to Sell Bombs to UAE

Bunker busters would be ideal for, say, taking out a nuclear facility

(NEWSER) - With the world growing nervous about Iran’s allegedly accelerating nuclear weapons program, the US is drawing up plans to sell thousands of “bunker-buster” bombs to the United Arab Emirates, sources tell the Wall Street Journal . Abu Dhabi’s ruling family, the al Nahyans, is seen as one of the most hawkish Iran foes in the Persian Gulf, and the US is eager to build up an anti-Iran coalition. More»

Sheikh Scrawls 2-Mile-Long Name In Sand

And it's so large, you can see it from space

(NEWSER) - When it comes to flaunting your wealth, nobody does it like Hamad bin Hamdan al-Ahyan. The so-called “Rainbow Sheikh” of the United Arab Emirates is known for outlandish purchases like the world’s largest truck (which has four bedrooms in its cabin) or his earth-shaped motor home (which is precisely 1 millionth the size of the Earth). But now he’s produced his most conspicuous display yet, scrawling his name in the desert in letters so large they can be seen from space, the Daily Mail reports. More»

Clinton: 'We Have Extremists in My Country'

Hillary makes reference to Jared Lee Loughner on UAE talk show

(NEWSER) - No euphemisms for Hillary Clinton. While speaking on a United Arab Emirates talk show today, the secretary of state compared the Tucson shooter to a ideologically driven terrorist, the Los Angeles Times reports. “Look, we have extremists in my country,” she said. “A wonderful, incredibly brave young woman Congress member, Congresswoman Giffords, was just shot by an extremist in our country. We have the same kinds of problems." But extremists aren’t representative of the population, she noted. More»

Blackwater Founder Moves to Abu Dhabi

Erik Prince no doubt hoping to leave bad press behind

(NEWSER) - The rumors were true: Blackwater founder Erik Prince has up and moved to Abu Dhabi, according to court documents. Sources say the former Navy Seal hopes to provide security services to African and Middle Eastern governments—and escape the bad press and legal scrutiny he's faced here. “He needs a break from America,” said one colleague. More»

NYC, Abu Dhabi Not Loving SATC 2

May be too racy for officials in Abu Dhabi

(NEWSER) - Sex and the City 2 isn't getting much love from the city it calls home—or from the one the girls travel to. Though Carrie et al vacation in Abu Dhabi in the film, fans there may have to go elsewhere see it: United Arab Emirates officials may ban its release because of its racy themes, the Telegraph reports. "To the Emiratis, that 'city' in the title sounds like it's referring to their Abu Dhabi rather than New York," one professor said. "That's a little too in your face." More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Arabs Building First Green City

Run on solar power, Masdar City will cost $22 billion and take 8 years to construct

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

biotechnology • Abu Dhabi • United Arab Emirates • clean energy • green • Masdar City • sustainability

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

To Thwart Iran, US Plans to Sell Bombs to UAE

Bunker busters would be ideal for, say, taking out a nuclear facility

Sheikh Scrawls 2-Mile-Long Name In Sand

And it's so large, you can see it from space

Clinton: 'We Have Extremists in My Country'

Hillary makes reference to Jared Lee Loughner on UAE talk show

Blackwater Founder Moves to Abu Dhabi

Erik Prince no doubt hoping to leave bad press behind

NYC, Abu Dhabi Not Loving SATC 2

May be too racy for officials in Abu Dhabi

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Arabs Building First Green City

Run on solar power, Masdar City will cost $22 billion and take 8 years to construct

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

biotechnology • Abu Dhabi • United Arab Emirates • clean energy • green • Masdar City • sustainability

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

To Thwart Iran, US Plans to Sell Bombs to UAE

Bunker busters would be ideal for, say, taking out a nuclear facility

Sheikh Scrawls 2-Mile-Long Name In Sand

And it's so large, you can see it from space

Clinton: 'We Have Extremists in My Country'

Hillary makes reference to Jared Lee Loughner on UAE talk show

Blackwater Founder Moves to Abu Dhabi

Erik Prince no doubt hoping to leave bad press behind

NYC, Abu Dhabi Not Loving SATC 2

May be too racy for officials in Abu Dhabi

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?