MASDAR CITY, ABU DHABI
Monday, October 20, 2014My sister-in-law, who is having a 30-day vacation here in the UAE, has been craving for Japanese food, so we decided to take her to Sumo Restaurant in Masdar City. Unlike shopping malls, there's really nothing much to do here but discover how this eco-friendly city sustains itself using renewable energy sources, promising zero carbon waste. According to Wikipedia, as of this writing, there are only two places in the world designed to become zero-carbon cities: Masdar City, United Arab Emirates and Dongtan, China.
We have already experienced the dangerous and frightening effects of climate change. Just almost a year ago, super typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines killing thousands of lives and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. No one wants to see things like this happen again, that is why I think, it's just about time for us to be aware and take part in caring for our environment.
Having a zero carbon waste is a big step to help reduce global warming and this is the ultimate purpose of Masdar City. Let me show you around so you could see how the experts who built this city made it all possible.
First and foremost, cars are not allowed inside the city. We left our car on the parking lot and rode a battery-operated podcar going to our destination. Podcars are the only means of mass transportation in Masdar. It is basically a driverless car that brings you from point A to point B.
Upon arriving in the city, you will notice several solar panels on the roof of the low rise buildings. This place is generally powered by solar and wind energy. In addition, you'll also find a wind cooling tower which was designed to keep the entire place well ventilated.
If you will take a closer look at the miniature model of this city, you will notice that the buildings were closely built to each other. This was actually designed to narrow the streets and have more shaded areas for a cooler environment, thus promoting walking and cycling among residents.
Let's do our part to save mother Earth! Not just for our children, but for the future generation as well.
18 comments
Oh, wow, an eco-friendly city! I didn't think it could be done...I hope other cities follow suit.
ReplyDeleteYes, mom on duty! I never thought also that this could be possible. It would really be great if there will be more cities which could be eco friendly too!
DeleteHow nice :-) hope someday may ganyan na din dito sa Philippines
ReplyDeleteHi Anna! I am hoping as well but this would take a lot of hard work. With all the problems our country is facing nowadays, I think our dream of having an eco friendly city in the Philippines will be close to impossible.
DeleteEco-friendly place! Love it! I agree with Mommy Anna, sana nga ganyan din here...:)
ReplyDeleteLet's hope and pray for that, NotYourOrdinary mum!
DeleteLooks really nice! I hope the Philippine government will do the same :)
ReplyDeleteI hope so too, Ayi!
DeletePodcars! Wow, so high-tech. I wish we can go to Abu-Dhabi too in the future. That place looks so clean!
ReplyDeleteYeah, podcars! It was amazing taking a ride in those pod cars.
DeleteSuch a well planned city! I love it! Just being there and knowing that it's an eco friendly city seems to give you the peace of mind that you are somehow helping mother earth already. I do hope there can be more cities like that. :)
ReplyDeleteI really hope too that more cities will become eco friendly. It definitely help a lot in saving mother Earth.
DeleteWow! It looks like a city in the future! I'd like it even other countries follow suit.
ReplyDeleteI really hope, mommy Tina, that other cities will also follow soon!
DeleteWow! an eco-friendly city. I wish magkaroon narin sa Philippines. So for now, let's hope and pray because who knows one day magkakaroon rin tayo ng kahit isang eco-friendly city. :)
ReplyDeleteSana nga magkaron din tayo ng ganito sa Pinas mommy Rackell. :)
DeleteKaya naman ng Pinas yan kung full effot :) anyhow, my bunso need this kind of place. ♥ Lucky you to experience it all :)
ReplyDeleteI believe so also. Sabi nga nila, kapag gusto, maraming paraan.
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