2018 Reports

An Emerging Clean-Technology City: Masdar, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Evenden, Gerard; Nelson, David; Gallou, Irene

Masdar City in Abu Dhabi is a pioneering sustainable urban development designed to achieve carbon neutrality and zero waste in an extreme desert climate. Combining traditional Arab planning principles with contemporary, energy-efficient technologies, the city integrates nearly zero-energy buildings, passive cooling strategies, wind towers, and water-conscious landscaping to optimize microclimatic comfort. Pedestrian-oriented design, careful building orientation, and renewable energy integration minimize energy demand while enhancing thermal comfort, demonstrating a model for climate-responsive, high-density, low-carbon urban planning in arid regions.