An Oasis in the Desert

In 2007 when the United Arab Emirates announced that they would be building the first "zero-carbon city" few Westerners put stock in the claim. However, this past week the first inhabitants of Masdar began to move in. Masdar is the creation of Foster & Partners and has been described as an eco-friendly Disneyland in the desert. The city rests on a 23-foot high base that captures desert breezes and can only be navigated through by the driverless electric car system that is hidden below the city. Although the architectural accomplishments of Masdar are like something out of a Sci-Fi movie many critics wonder what the social repercussions will be for this gated utopia.

by Haley Kirk