Masdar City in Abu Dhabi - Book Report/Review Example

Table of Contents A Report on Masdar in Abu Dhabi Item Page Terms of reference 3 Procedure 4 1.0 Introduction 5 2.0 The SWOT Analysis 6 2.1 Business environment 6 2.2 Renewable energy 8 2.3 Transport 10 3.0 Masdar Institute 11 4.0 Conclusion 12 5.0 Recommendation 12 6.0 Bibliography 13 Masdar city in Abu Dhabi 1.0 Introduction The Middle East never ceases to impress the world. With the rise of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates as one of the fastest growing cities in the world, which is, rated one of the best in terms of living standards and its fame as a vibrant capital with a wide array of business and leisure activities, then comes the Masdar city. Masdar city has recently hit daily chronicles being one of the green cities in the world of its kind. It is fascinating that a green city found its way in the sands of a desert. Coined from Arabic, Masdar means source. The genesis of the wonder city dates back in year 2007 being an initiative of the Abu Dhabi government. Masdar city was created for four main reasons. To start with, Abu Dhabi initiated a 20 years plan that will see the economy of the county transform from relying heavily on natural resources to one founded on knowledge and innovation. The country is renowned for its production in oil. It is estimated that the country controls 8% of the world’s oil reserves. Driven by fears of oil wells drying in 42 years time, the government decided to build a sustainable city that would entirely depend on renewable energy. Secondly, the county is situated in a harsh environment. Faced with challenges of climate change through degradation and the thirst for a sustainable source of energy, the city found its way. Thirdly, the country is a global market giant in energy industry. To maintain its leadership position, it sought the renewable energy sector. Finally, Masdar seeks to pursue investments and partnerships in the renewable energy sector for the well being of the global community (http://masdarcity.ae/en/47/resource-centre/>). The city was originally planned to be complete by 2015 but the financial crisis did not leave the project unscathed pushing the deadlines to between year 2020 and 2025 after its kick off in 2006. The city’s design was done a British architectural firm in collaboration with an engineering and environment consultancy firm. The government of Abu Dhabi provided the biggest percentage of capital while other partners like the Siemens venture group form part of the city’s success story. The project is estimated to cost a staggering US$22 billion. The city’s construction stretches 17 kilometers southeast of Abu Dhabi and nears the Abu Dhabi International Airport. The city is a hub for cleantech technologies. It will host the headquarters of International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). In the rise of global warming and other environmental pollutions, the project has attracted support from global environment conservancies like the WWF, BioRegional and Greenpeace among others. Major governments like the US have also offered their support by signing partnership agreements that will see them share expertise in a bid to mitigate carbon emissions in cities. 2.0 The SWOT Analysis of Masdar city 2.1 Business environment Masdar city is the newest global hub for renewable energy and focus in green technologies. The mission of this development is to provide a quality environment for quality life that supersedes that of any excellent city. Strengths With the drive to demonstrate what environmentally responsible living is like, the city is conformable with any business development and offers a good environment for people to work and live in. Masdar city offers a dynamic and vibrant entrepreneurial international community with opportunities such as access to finance for business, entrepreneurial knowledge, high talent and a launching point for local, regional and international markets (Low& Linda 46). Masdar city accomplishes its mission of being the most sustainable city in the world in a viable manner. As the city is developing, the expertise behind its impressive planning is continuously developing new insights in green developing materials and their supplies. More so, there is the sustainability of systems integration with good management in municipal utilities with superb planning in building and design and full utilization of building management systems. The city’s expertise consciously identifies and integrates their knowledge in developing the city and enabling it to share its uniqueness on a regional and global level. The objective of developing Masdar city is not only premised on ensuring a good return for the shareholders investments but also to derive important lessons that can be shared and implemented by other urban development’s around the globe. To be precise, the city has developed unmatched pool of services that enable organizations to smoothly and affordably accomplish their sustainability goals in an effective manner. These services offer remedies to hard and soft infrastructural challenges that enable organizations, communities and the world as a whole to benefit immensely. Weaknesses The concept of this city is challenged due to the rapid rise of commercial real estate in the last decade. Tenants from other cities in UAE might find it hard to relocate to the new city. As expensive as it is, the city is not worth without business in it in a time when property buyers are most favored by demand and supply forces. Opportunities Companies located in this city are well positioned in the heat of this industry. The city is a promising hub where businesses can thrive and innovations prosper. Masdar acts as a model for urban development and sustainability both regionally and globally. It seeks to be unique in providing commercial viability developments that offer high quality working and living environments (http://masdarcity.ae/en/47/resource-centre/>). All this accomplished without making any ecological footprints that may beat its essence. Part of the ongoing activities is to create a community where clean tech research and developments comprised of technology testing and construction of the most sustainable buildings in the world. The Masdar city offers a rare opportunity that inspires innovation, creativity and development of organizations that yearn to be well suited strategically in this dynamic world. The city is one of the emergent hubs that attract talent, financial resources and business skills in the fast changing industry for renewable energy and clean technology. Moreover, the city acts as technological platform that provides collaborating organizations a good opportunity for developing, testing and validating their technology prowess. Going by the country’s desert like environment presents companies with an opportunity to display their strengths in a real world situation. As a leading global center for renewable energy innovation and investment, the city is strategically located to provide unlimited benefits to entrepreneurs and employees alike. Among the advantages include; continuous formal and informal learning provided by the most talented people, a global exposure for governments and organizations working in Masdar city and a state-of-the-art technological buildings premised on sustainable energy. Threats The major threat to businesses is the harsh environment in the UAE. Desert storms are also prevalent killing the zeal of investors who cannot withstand the harsh environment. The effects of global financial crisis have delayed the completion of the project hampering investment I real time. 2.2 Renewable energy Strengths Masdar city was planned to utelize a variety of renewable power sources. Among those scheduled for construction include, 40-60 megawatt PV solar power plant, which will cater for all construction activities. Solar panels fitted on the rooftops of all buildings will supplement the solar energy adding to a total of 130 megawatts. Concentrated solar power and photovoltaic’s are other sources of energy intended for use in the city. The city’s construction uses palm wood mainly in making doors and gates. This is a hardwood developed using the coconut palms that are fruitless, another great way of energy sustainability. Weaknesses The project is heavily invested in the renewable energy. The challenge remains how the city will continue to provide the renewable energy sustainably with all the costs incurred. Opportunities The city will utilize the powerful winds that blow in the desert. Wind energy will form an important source of energy that will be developed outside the city’s perimeter wall and is estimated to produce up to 20 megawatts. Geothermal energy will also form part of the city’s power grind system while plans are also underway to see energy production through hydrogen power plants (Heathcote n.pg). Water management is a crucial process in overseeing the city’s dream come true. Water management is planned in environmentally friendly way. Part of the plan to manage the water system includes construction of a solar powered desalination plant that will provide water to the whole city. A significant proportion of about 80% of used will be recycled as much a possible with wastewater used for irrigation purposes. Waste management will also be reduced to zero. Biological wastes will be used in the manufacture of fertilizer while some will be used as power source through incinerating water. Plastics, metals and other industrial wastes will be recycled for other purposes. Threats Renewable energy from the solar system suffers a drawback due to sandstorms that hamper the efficiency of the solar panels. 2.3 The transport system Strengths The transportation systems are also built on a mission to preserve the environment without any trace of carbon emission. The means of transport around the city is entirely on personal rapid transit commonly known as PRT. The PRTs are sleek four wheeled cars that run using an electric motor. The cars are autonomous and are drive by the use of computers. A computer draws direction with the help of magnetic objects that are embedded on the road. Road Safety is ensured by avoiding collisions of cars and so when one car senses another, it stops until the road is clear. Weaknesses The reliance of the electric cars will not be sufficient to transport thousands of people that will be operating in Masdar city. The transport infrastructure is not flexible to any emerging demands. Any changes in the transport system can take a long time to accomplish. Opportunities PRT promises to be the future means of transport in cities going by the environmental benefits it offers plus privacy, which happens to be demerits of the current transport systems currently comprised of buses and trains. A test fleet of ten cars was also deployed in 2011 to test the point-to-point transportation and complement the PRT and freight rapid transit systems both of which are electric powered systems. Use of other clean energy vehicles for mass transport is intended for use. Private vehicles are restricted in the city’s perimeter. To connect the city to the greater metropolitan area, Abu Dhabi existing light rail and metro line are employed (Reiche & Danyel 378-382). Threats The PRT system is expensive to maintain and operate. With time, the transport system may not be sustainable. 3.0 Masdar institute Located at the heart of the city is the Masdar institute of science and technology. An academic instituton has been the backbone of the Masdar’s engineering plans. It acts as a center of research and development in alternative energy. The institution is collaboration with the Massachusetts institute of technology. The institution is planned to host close to 800 masters and PhD students with a faculty of 200 members. The graduate courses offered provide education, research and other scholarly activities that prepare learners to be critic thinkers with ability to innovate in areas of technology and systems integration. The institution is collaborating with the UAEs government to provide crucial research that can see the country free itself from social, technological and economical challenges. Masdar institute strives to become the leading center of excellence in the field of technological innovation and development. It has high quality students and faculty that will see it accomplish its purpose. The institute has a metered system that measures its energy consumption. Currently, it uses 70% or less electrical energy and potable water as compared to normal structures of its size (The Report 182). 6.0 Conclusion With such initiatives to build environmentally friendly cities across the globe, the world will soon become a better place to live in. The environment is a double-edged sword. If trampled over, it retaliates through hunger, drought and diseases. If safeguarded, it provides its immense benefits that sustain life. 7.0 Recommendation The world today is characterized by all manner of environment pollution. With efforts of the non-governmental and governmental organizations however, the green peace initiative is slowly being embraced locally, regionally and internationally. The Abu Dhabi government can be commended for their great innovation work to see the world become a green haven and acting as the ambassador of green revolution. As it continues to pursue this initiative, it is important that it provide scholarship opportunities for great minds in poor countries so that the green peace program can go global. Work cited "Resource Centre." Masdar City >. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2013. . Heathcote, E. “The greening of Arabia.” Financial Times 2009 : n. pag. Print. Low, Linda. Abu Dhabi's Vision 2030: An Ongoing Journey of Economic Development. Singapore: World Scientific, 2012; 46. Print. Reiche, Danyel. “Renewable Energy Policies in the Gulf countries: A case study of the carbon- neutral ‘Masdar City’ in Abu Dhabi.” Energy Policy 2010 : 378-382. Print The Report: Abu Dhabi 2010. Oxford Business Group, 2010; 182.Print. Read More