Eco-friendly Masdar has unanswered questions

The city is turning to some traditional techniques for cooling properties and embracing many newer technologies to supply power to the people and their businesses.

It's an ambitious project that will even try to embrace environmentally sound practices during the city's construction, one that will regularly have the world's eyes on it as countries monitor the progress of this greenest of green cities.

In what is one of the world's sunniest regions, GCC countries have been remarkably slow in embracing - or even at least exploring - the possibilities of solar energy, so it is difficult to decide whether to say 'bravo' or 'about time'. Also this week it was announced that a huge wind turbine is to be built at Sir Bani Yas island, off the coast of Abu Dhabi.

At 65 metres high, it will be the largest in the Middle East and supply 850kw/hour to the local community. Although no timeline was given for the turbine, this and Masdar city, which will be built over the next 10 years (a phased development, people will begin moving in late next year), has put Abu Dhabi centre-stage in the UAE's efforts to improve its environmental record.

The GCC has the 'proud' record of having the top four CO2 emitting countries in the world on a per capita tonne basis (Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait). In many ways this is no surprise; these are desert countries that rely on desalination for water and bar the odd week in the year, must rely on the hosepipe for irrigation.

All four are experiencing economic booms and working hard to improve their industries and living conditions. Cars are heavily relied upon for transport, largely because public transport is close to non-existent.

As ever in the UAE, it couldn't resist tying in its environmental ambitions with a record or two. The wind turbine will be the 'tallest in the Middle East' while Masdar city will be the 'greenest in the world'. This has the effect of grabbing the world's attention, but as exciting as the multi-billion dollar project sounds, it does leave some practicality questions unanswered.

How for instance, in a city of 50,000 people and 1,500 businesses, will it ship goods around? Cars will not be allowed in Masdar city and although transport links will be built for people, what about heavy goods? Or supplies for shops? Or even, how will people's furniture be delivered when they move in? Ask a parent of three if they're happy to use public transport to take their children to and from school everyday and I suspect I know the answer most will give.

These are all questions that over time will become clearer, and as Abu Dhabi shows how this city of the future will function, it should also create lessons for other countries to learn from. The use of solar energy is particularly interesting and with so much being used, it could have the effect of heralding in improvements in the technology and helping to drive down production costs.

But the greatest lesson will be how a community can function - if indeed it can function - without the personal transport we have all become so reliant upon, especially during the hot months of summer in the Middle East.

See also:
Masdar unveils 'world's greenest city'
Video: Masdar at World Future Energy Summit