Palestinian President briefed on green technologies

Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian National Authority, was briefed on the green technologies planned for Masdar City during a visit to the Cityscape Abu Dhabi exhibition at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

The Palestinian leader showed particular interest in the Masdar stand where it was explained that the $22bn city being built near Abu Dhabi airport, will rely entirely on solar and other renewable energy sources.

Masdar City is expected to take some eight years to complete, providing homes for 40,000 people and 1,500 clean technology companies as well as work for 50,000 commuters.

Masdar officials say that while no commitments have been made, similar clean energy technologies could be incorporated in the multi-billion dollar reconstruction of Gaza.

Reconstruction of the war ravaged Gaza Strip was recently described as one of the most complicated challenges faced by humanitarian organisation by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and President of the UAE Red Crescent Authority.

He said a safe environment and decent living conditions were needed for 1.5 million people living in Gaza.

Mark Goodchild, Exhibition Director of Cityscape for organisers IIR Exhibitions, said:

"The Palestinian leader's visit to Cityscape Abu Dhabi today further demonstrates that this event should not be seen as one purely for luxury developments."

"The technologies being used in building sustainable projects like Masdar City can also help in providing basic necessities to relief the plight of areas such as the Gaza Strip," he added.

Among other stands at Cityscape Abu Dhabi that the Palestinian leader showed particular interest were Mubadala; the Capital City District project by Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council; Al Maabar; the King Hussein bin Talal Development Area in Jordan; Aldar; Lulu Island and Bloom.

Cityscape Abu Dhabi brings together investors, architects, designers, developers, government authorities and key decision makers involved in the design and construction of public and private real estate developments. The show covers more than 40,000 square metres of exhibition space with more than 300 companies from over 30 countries participating.

Running alongside the exhibition is the Real Estate Finance and Investment Conference, featuring more than 100 speakers from the world's leading finance, investment and real estate companies. The conference will be a forum for in-depth discussion of current market challenges.

Cityscape Abu Dhabi 2009 has received widespread backing from industry leaders. Headline sponsor is Mubadala Real Estate and Hospitality; Platinum sponsors are Aldar, Sorouh Real Estate, Al Qudra Real Estate, The Land Real Estate Investment and Development Company, Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, and Burooj Properties; Investment sponsor is Abu Dhabi Investment House; Associate sponsor is the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipal Affairs.

Gold sponsor is Tameer and Al Maabar; Silver sponsors are Aqaba Development Corporation and HSBC. The sponsor of the Real Estate Finance and Investment conference is Brand Experience. International Broadcasting Partner is CNN International and regional broadcasting partner is Al Arabiya.