2030 Economic Vision – The Greenest City of the World in Abu Dhabi

It is estimated that 60% of the world’s population – about 5 billion people will be living in the world’s cities by 2030. Masdar, Abu Dhabi Government’s development company Mubadala’s wholly owned subsidiary, aims to develop the greenest city in Abu Dhabi which will be the home to corporates, universities, financial services and residents through an eco-friendly way of living and working. This project sits in the heart of one of the oil driven economies of the GCC and is building the most environmental friendly living and working conditions drawing on the plentiful renewable energy from the air and sun along with the most advanced clean technology available.

Masdar which could very well be the catalyst driving the long needed diversification of the GCC starting with the Emirates. The Masdar City project aims to house 40,000 residents and 50,000 commuters by 2025. The Arabic style buildings providing plenty of shade and air with modern technology and energy efficient use of resources will be able to bring down the city temperatures down to 10 degrees cooler than that of the Abu Dhabi city currently. The shades provided by the buildings and the proximity to work and living places will make Masdar a friendly, walkable living experience where people will be working and playing in close proximity. While today’s modern cities are responsible for 80% of the world’s population with 75% of the world’s congestion, Masdar is the harbinger of a new way of living for a better tomorrow.

The city will be aiming to set up a zero carbon emission public transportation system with features like driverless, point-to-point rapid transit system, an electric vehicle ride share system and electric bus systems. Masdar project is guided by Abu Dhabi’s economic vision 2030 where by growth of the Emirates will be driven by knowledge based economic activities. With five independent business units within Masdar project and an international research arm to continuously monitor and develop the fostering of clean technology and sustainable development in the city with minimum use and wastage of non –renewable resources, Masdar aims to be at the forefront of the sustainable development while adopting diversification through commercially viable options. Several international companies including General Electric, Siemens, Mistubishi among others have become part of the Masdar project by setting up their corporate offices in the city.

Masdar’s strategic location and visionary project will be an inspiration to other oil rich nations to make the much needed move towards diversification and could culminate in creating more innovative and profitable projects for a sustainable future.

Dr. Subhadra Ganguli currently works in Ahlia Universty as an Associate Professor in Economics. She holds a Ph.D in Economics from University of California in Riverside. Dr. Ganguli has experience in academic teaching, research and Quality Assurance for the last 20 years in India, USA and Bahrain. She has worked at the BIBF during 2004-August 2014 in various capacities. For comments and questions, please feel free to contact her at Subhadra.ganguli@gmail.com.