City will use wind energy and futuristic travel pods

Masdar City in Abu Dhabi is poised to become the world’s most sustainable, zero-waste, car-free, carbon-neutral city. The US$15 billion city is being built by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Co. and will serve as the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency. Designed by Lord Foster of Foster & Partners, it will rely entirely on solar energy and other renewable energy sources, with a sustainable, zero-carbon and zero-waste ecology. The project will feature narrow streets, squat buildings and no cars. Solar panels will act as awnings to shelter pedestrians from the sun. While wind energy will power the city and its water desalination plant, transport will be in futuristic travel pods that do not consume gasoline. (January 22, 2010)