Masdar City serves as both a city and an ambitious initiative to foster a sustainable and technologically advanced urban environment
Masdar City serves as both a city and an ambitious initiative to foster a sustainable and technologically advanced urban environment
Masdar City serves as both a city and an ambitious initiative to foster a sustainable and technologically advanced urban environment
Masdar City serves as both a city and an ambitious initiative to foster a sustainable and technologically advanced urban environment

Earth Day 2024: A closer look at Masdar City's futuristic sustainable urban solutions


Dana Alomar
  • English
  • Arabic

Situated within the capital of the UAE, Masdar City emerged as a response to the pressing global challenges of climate change and depleting resources. Functioning both as a city and as an ambitious initiative to foster a sustainable and technologically advanced urban environment, Masdar City stands as a testament to futuristic urban planning.

Since its inception, it has embodied the ethos of a living laboratory, where cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices harmonise to reimagine the future of urban living. From non-electrical air conditioning systems to vertical smart farms, amid Earth Day, we delve into three technological innovations that define the essence of Masdar City:

1. Autonomous mobility

A Personal Rapid Transit vehicle
A Personal Rapid Transit vehicle
Personal rapid transit vehicle at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Ravindranath K / The National
Personal rapid transit vehicle at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Ravindranath K / The National

Host to the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries cluster in Abu Dhabi, Masdar City is leading the charge in transforming smart and autonomous transportation across air, land, and sea.

As stated on their website, SAVI will inject about $24.5 billion to $32.7 billion into the UAE's economy and create about 30,000 to 50,000 job opportunities.

Beyond its significant potential economic effect, Masdar City showcases futuristic sustainable mobility that aligns with its vision of an advanced urban environment. One notable example is Masdar City’s Personal Rapid Transit system, recognised as the world’s first on-demand, autonomous electric transportation system.

The PRT operates with zero carbon emissions and its entire network is emission-free. By eliminating the need for personal vehicles, the PRT achieves a net carbon effect of zero.

2. Vertical smart farm

Alesca's vertical smart farm in Masdar City is already operational. Masdar City
Alesca's vertical smart farm in Masdar City is already operational. Masdar City

Masdar City has teamed up with Alesca Technologies, an agricultural technology firm specialising in tailored farming solutions, to introduce its inaugural indoor vertical farm.

Two large-scale commercial farming containers next to Masdar City's Eco-Plaza will house the farm, which will produce over 650kg of leafy greens monthly, ensuring year-round farm-to-fork produce.

The farm utilises automated equipment and AI software to cultivate various types of premium vegetables and herbs. It also uses 90 to 95 per cent less water than conventional farms. The produce is fresh, free of harmful chemicals, and prepared for immediate consumption.

3. The world’s first air-operated shade system

Airshade prototype
Airshade prototype

Developed by the Netherlands start-up Airshade Technologies, the Airshade prototype stands as the world's pioneering air-operated shade system.

Over the past eight months, it has undergone testing at Masdar City's solar plant testing site. Inspired by the natural movement of tree leaves, Airshade employs innovative technology to respond to changing air temperatures, mimicking the sun-shielding action of foliage.

This system operates entirely on natural principles, devoid of sensors, motors, or electricity.

As the world grapples with the urgent challenges of climate change and resource scarcity, Masdar City offers a glimpse into a future where cities thrive in harmony with nature and technology.

Masdar City's initiatives highlight the transformative potential of innovation, determination, and collective action in shaping cities to sustain and enhance life for future generations.

SPEC SHEET

Display: 6.8" edge quad-HD  dynamic Amoled 2X, Infinity-O, 3088 x 1440, 500ppi, HDR10 , 120Hz

Processor: 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/Exynos 2200, 8-core

Memory: 8/12GB RAM

Storage: 128/256/512GB/1TB

Platform: Android 12

Main camera: quad 12MP ultra-wide f/2.2, 108MP wide f/1.8, 10MP telephoto f/4.9, 10MP telephoto 2.4; Space Zoom up to 100x, auto HDR, expert RAW

Video: 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, full-HD@60fps, HD@30fps, super slo-mo@960fps

Front camera: 40MP f/2.2

Battery: 5000mAh, fast wireless charging 2.0 Wireless PowerShare

Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC

I/O: USB-C

SIM: single nano, or nano and SIM, nano and nano, eSIM/nano and nano

Colours: burgundy, green, phantom black, phantom white, graphite, sky blue, red

Price: Dh4,699 for 128GB, Dh5,099 for 256GB, Dh5,499 for 512GB; 1TB unavailable in the UAE

The%20specs
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Friday Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (11.30pm)

Saturday Freiburg v Borussia Monchengladbach, Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Dortmund, Cologne v Wolfsburg, Arminia Bielefeld v Mainz (6.30pm) Bayern Munich v RB Leipzig (9.30pm)

Sunday Werder Bremen v Stuttgart (6.30pm), Schalke v Bayer Leverkusen (9pm)

Monday Hoffenheim v Augsburg (11.30pm)

How much of your income do you need to save?

The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.

In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)

Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.

 

ACC 2019: The winners in full

Best Actress Maha Alemi, Sofia

Best Actor Mohamed Dhrif, Weldi  

Best Screenplay Meryem Benm’Barek, Sofia  

Best Documentary Of Fathers and Sons by Talal Derki

Best Film Yomeddine by Abu Bakr Shawky

Best Director Nadine Labaki, Capernaum
 

FIVE%20TRENDS%20THAT%20WILL%20SHAPE%20UAE%20BANKING
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20The%20digitisation%20of%20financial%20services%20will%20continue%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Managing%20and%20using%20data%20effectively%20will%20become%20a%20competitive%20advantage%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Digitisation%20will%20require%20continued%20adjustment%20of%20operating%20models%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Banks%20will%20expand%20their%20role%20in%20the%20customer%20life%20through%20ecosystems%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20The%20structure%20of%20the%20sector%20will%20change%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

The Pope's itinerary

Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport


Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial


Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

Company profile

Name: Tratok Portal

Founded: 2017

Based: UAE

Sector: Travel & tourism

Size: 36 employees

Funding: Privately funded

The Voice of Hind Rajab

Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees

Director: Kaouther Ben Hania

Rating: 4/5

Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
​​​​​​​Penguin Press

Race card

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

Updated: April 24, 2024, 12:20 PM