What better day for a blog to be born than the national day of a country, the capital of which is this column’s central focus. Abu Dhabi, the largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates and its capital, is perhaps the most happening place in the world today. Some of the initiatives the leaders of the Emirate have set into motion are not only world class but also perhaps the first of its kind in the world.
It may look paradoxical that a region, with 10 percent of the world's oil reserves and the richest city on earth, has set in motion a major initiative in sustainability called Masdar. The objective is to build a city where carbon emissions will be zero, cars will be banned, 80% of water will be recycled, and all waste will be converted to energy. The third World Future Energy Summit is slated to take place in Abu Dhabi on 18-21 January 2010 to identify solutions to today's climate change and energy challenges.
The Government of Abu Dhabi has unveiled Plan Abu Dhabi 2030: Urban Structure Framework Plan, a comprehensive plan for the development of the city of Abu Dhabi that will guide planning decisions for the next quarter of a century. An associated initiative called Estidama, which means sustainability in Arabic, promotes the concept of living in harmony with the local culture and environment while conserving the traditional way of life so that future generations can benefit from the present choices. Abu Dhabi recently won the highly acclaimed 2009 ISOCARP Award for Excellence, one of the most significant global recognitions in the realm of urban planning, for Plan Al Ain 2030, the urban structure framework plan for Al Ain city.
Abu Dhabi is not only the best place to work but also a great place to live.
