Introduction
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) consists of 7 Emirates, namely, Ajman, Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah, and Fujairah (Abu Dhabi Government, 2012). Commercial exploitation owing to a burgeoning human population, along with extremes of heat has combined to put a strain on the environment. This has now threatened the marine environment, wildlife, and the human population as well. The UAE government treats the issue of environmental sustainability with a lot of seriousness.
As a way of affirming its seriousness in addressing environmental issues, the UAE government has assumed the crucial responsibility of sponsoring massive campaigns aimed at promoting green projects in tall of the seven Emirate states of the UAE. One of these environmental sustainability projects that have received the support of the UAE government is Masdar City, located in the UAE.
The essay below aims to research the Masdar City with a view to determining its aims and objectives, vision and mission, as well as the kind of impact that it would have on society, the environment, and the people of Abu Dhabi. Specifically, the research shall seek to explore the major benefits that the project hopes to achieve the economy and in creating an eco-friendly environment. Finally, the researcher shall also endeavor to evaluate the project in terms of credit worthiness to society and its relevance if established.
The UAE government happens to be the main sponsor of Masdar City. On the other hand, the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company has been charged with the responsibility of building this mega project. The Abu Dhabi Energy Company is part of the larger Mubadala Development Company. The fundamental designing principle of Masdar City is aimed at ensuring that the design is eco-friendly (Ling & Pearson, 2012).
The project is also expected to be executed in 7 phases, with the completion period anticipated within a decade. The first phase of the Masdar City project is anticipated to be completed early next year (2013). Masdar is an Arabic term that when translated becomes City, which is also said to mean “The source” in Arabic, is said to have a total cost amount of Dhs 18 Billion upon its completion.
Aims and Objectives of the project
By initiating the Masdar City project, the UAE hopes to achieve several aims and objectives. It is important to note that one of the reasons why Masdar City was established was so that the project could help to promote sustainable development not just in the US, but the world over as well.
To start with, the Masdar City project is meant to foster sustainable development in the United Arab Emirates, especially in the state of Abu Dhabi. This is because, at the moment, energy generation happens to be one of the most marketable ventures in the global economy (Carvalho, Hardy & Gunna, 2009). As such, by venturing into a green project of this kind, the Abu Dhabi government wishes to be a pioneer in green energy solutions not just in the Middle East, but in the world as well.
Another aim of the Masdar City project is to trigger economic diversification by developing an alternative energy sector, over and above the conventional energy sector. What this means is that besides irrigation and other income generating economic activities, Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates as a whole will be able to create more avenues for earning revenue. Also, the project hopes to employ a variety of renewable power sources, among them being the construction of a 40-60 megawatt solar power plant, to supply power for all other construction activity and also to host the world’s largest hydrogen power plant (Carvalho et al., 2009).
There is also the issue of hosting the Institute of Science and Technology. It is important to note that the Institute of Science and Technology uses 70% less power and water in comparison with other normal buildings. The Abu Dhabi government is optimistic that the emirate will be converted into the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy (IRENA) (Meray, 2010).
This is an important move, as it would enable Abu Dhabi to foster total reliance on solar energy and other renewable energy sources, with an aim to promoting zero carbon emissions, and zero waste ecology, et cetera. Furthermore, the project is also aimed at ensuring that Abu Dhabi becomes the best place globally about environmental protection. In an attempt to depict the level of seriousness of the Abu Dhabi government in tackling environmental issues, the Masdar City project is also projected to help reduce to zero any biological waste and industrial waste is to be recycled for other purposes.
Vision
The developers of this project had the vision of creating an eco-friendly city that will foster energy solutions and to foster prosperity and economic growth and development of both the people and the environment.
Mission
The mission of this project is to be the world’s center for future energy solutions.
The impact of the Masdar city on the people and Environment of Abu Dhabi
The Masdar City project is expected to have a huge impact on the environment, people, as well as the economy of Abu Dhabi and the UAE as well. First, the use of solar panels shall result in the generation of both electricity and cooling effects, and this will have an impact on the lives of thousands of Abu Dhabi residents. Also, there is the issue of reducing water wastage by ensuring that waste water is first treated then used to irrigate plants on the landscape.
This is extremely necessary because there are no renewable sources of fresh water in the United Arab Emirates; most of its water comes from desalinization of the plants. In this perspective, therefore, the water treatment plant is highly essential to ensure that safe drinking water and sanitation services can be accessed by all residents (Dilworth, 2007).
Moreover, the project will result in easy transportation network by ensuring the design of walking and cycling lanes on the roads. This will help to ease traffic congestion. It will also lead to decreased wastes by ensuring that biological wastes have been recycled to create nutrient-rich soil and fertilizers. The energy site being developed in an eco-friendly manner will lead to the attainment of carbon-neutral levels of pollution.
We should also not forget that the project is bound to result in the creation of employment opportunities for the natives of the area, due to investments taking place. Also, there is a dire need for cheap labors by the recycling plants which help generate energy and power. It is important to note that Masdar City has attracted retailers and various companies in the area, therefore, creating a one-stop shopping zone for the residents of the place (Meray, 2010).
Many companies have also been established in the area and are keen on doing business in the region. Generally, the United Arab Economy as a whole seeks to benefit from the Masdar project and not just Abu Dhabi. This is because the generated energy is a source of income, and also the investments attracted help to boost the economy. The retail shops in the area have a certain tax level to pay to the government, and in return, the government uses the tax revenue earned to develop infrastructure in other zones that are not as developed.
Evaluation of the program
The program is done in phases to enable the systematic completion of a strategic phase before another phase begins. Overall, the Masdar project has been more positive than negative. Its success rate can already be placed at a marginal value of more than 70%. The people living in the area are set to attain more benefits from the project basing on the fact that major benefits and accessibility to facilities are made more easily.
For instance, Water will be made more accessible, and therefore, proper sanitation fostered and encouraged. The fact that the area is to host the headquarters of the renewable energy agency makes the location an industrial area prone to high investments thus benefiting the people with access to employment in the plants, as these plants seek to obtain cheap labor from the inhabitants of the city.
Is that the city is planned to meet environmentally friendly regulations, health hazards that accrue to exposure to dangerous gases like carbon gases and other dangerous gases prone to industrial zones are reduced. It is due to the existence of the Masdar city project that the hotels inside and outside the city have continued to thrive.
Transportation has also improved immensely by the use of the rail system to transport people from one place to another. This is especially so because no automobiles are allowed inside the city, no wonder the large parking constructed outside the city to facilitate parking of the vehicles.
The project can also be said to be one of the biggest and globally challenging since even the energy renewable plant has already accrued a status of being the most environmentally friendly. This, therefore, means that it is very competitive about other energy renewable sources like those in Saudi Arabia and about other globally set environmental standards.
Conclusion
The Abu Dhabi government is committed to ensuring that it provides its residents with one of the most sustainable environments in the world. At the moment, the government is spearheading the development of Masdar City, a sustainable green city that is expected to benefit the locals immensely in terms of reducing traffic congestion, minimizing the use of fossil fuels, and most of all, acting as an ideal model for the development of green urban technology. Since the carbon mandate in Masdar City is comparatively low, the onus is on the retailers to ensure that they provide shared benefits.
Reference List
Abu Dhabi Government. (2012). Environment Conservation in the UAE.
Carvalho, S., Hardy, W., & Gunna, D. (2009). First Solar to help power Masdar, UAE’s green city. Web.
Dilworth, D. (2007). Zero carbon; Zero waste in Abu Dhabi.
Ling, J., & Pearson, B. (2012). How do we make green megacities?
Meray, A. (2010). Inauguration of Masdar Institute Campus at Masdar City underscores Abu Dhabi’s commitment to build a knowledge-based economy.