An eco-city is a development that, based on ecological principles, dramatically reduces carbon emissions. In 2008 it was noted that more than half of the world’s population live in cities and towns and is estimated that by 2030 that figure will rise to two-thirds.
Eco-cities are perhaps the much needed response to the environmental challenges of large scale developments and urbanization. Middle East examples of such cities include the much publicized Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, Ziggurat and Xeritown in Dubai, Urjuan and Energy City in Qatar and ones in the outskirts of Amman, Libya and Kazakhstan.
The Middle East is rich in oil, but once the “oil boom” is over, “…all of us must get used to a different lifestyle” said Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah. “Peak oil” in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait is expected to occur in 2014 and 2013 respectively.
Due to the recession, green investments have been put in the back burner. However, that seems to be changing and investing in alternative energy projects is being considered a sure source of profit in the long-term; in the Middle East, solar-energy related endeavours are probably the key.
All that in mind, Forbes poses a valid question: Can an oil-rich sheikhdom in the Middle East be a world leader in developing conservation policies and environment-friendly technologies?” We think it can. What do you think?
Ara Fernezian
I wonder how the recently publicized financial problems with the Dubai World real-estate group will impact the development timelines for Masdar City and related construction projects.
Any thoughts?
The Middle-East have proved their ability to innovate and to develop alternative economy such as tourism, finance and real estate, for long term vision. However we all know that sustainable development have been introduced just recently in the region and that many questions have been raised about the environmental impact of many development projects. Now, the middle-eastern actors have the opportunity to ride the “global green trend” and lead the way since they have everything needed (finance + willing)… it is just a shame that they did not start earlier, specially with the amount of sunshine that we have all year long !
I think that these energy efficient are great initiatives, and do generate a lot of publicity for the UAE. I do think that energy efficiency needs to be the way forward, for all new developments, not just ones that are designed specifically for that purpose. Until the menality of coversation, reduction is understood and appreciated, this energy efficient movement will be nothing more than a PR stunt, and since the UAE is still so oil rich, I think that the country will have more of a challenge to come across with the sincerity in its sustainability efforts to the rest of the world. Having said that, I do think that awareness is the first step and these big undertakings do indeed spread the word on the need to conserve energy…