The United Arab Emirates began to build on the Masdar City project, which will be a zero-carbon, zero-waste city using cutting-edge solar power technology in the middle of the deserts of Abu Dhabi.
Finished by 2015 this city will be inhabited by 50,000 people and a showcase of how cities will look like in the future.
Critics say that the 22 billion dollars used by this project should rather be invested in the “greening” of existing cities. Nevertheless this project will be an important information and experience hub – not only for the building companies – but for everyone interested in sustainability and environmental issues.