Masdar City, Toward a post-vernacular urban model

This research provides a critical overview of Masdar City, an innovative urban settle- ment located in Abu Dhabi. The aim is to identify and analyze its pioneering urban design principles and sustainable features, highlighting its potential as a model for fu- ture environmentally conscious cities. The study of this peculiar settlement employs an interdisciplinary approach, drawing insights from architecture, urban planning, sus- tainable technologies, and cultural heritage. The master plan for Masdar City, spanning an area of 6,4 million square meters, was unveiled in 2007 by Foster and Partners. The project was initiated by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company and presided over by the sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who currently oversees its strategic planning, implementation, and management. The city initially homed 50.000 people, 1.500 businesses, and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, a university hub dedicated exclusively to the study and research of renewable energy. Its construction started in 2008, but further developments are still underway. In recent years, governments across the globe have embarked on ambitious endeavors to construct large-scale, master-planned urban developments that prioritize a harmonious relationship with nature. This pursuit of international recognition and prestige through the execution of unique projects reflects a broader trend seen in the Arabian Gulf re- gion, particularly in the UAE and Qatar, where remarkable construction projects have taken center stage over the past two decades. The emergence of eco-cities is situated within a critical spatio-temporal context, and its implications are poised to profoundly shape our immediate future. Masdar City provides a new interpretation of the Middle Eastern vernacular architecture within the context of the desert landscape. In fact, its ar- chitectural and urban design blends traditional Arabic and Persian urban features with contemporary technologies, resulting ni an original morphological configuration that not only promotes cultural identity but also integrates sustainable practices. The re-de- sign of vernacular elements such as the wind towers, part of the Achaemenid cultural heritage of the Central Iranian Plateau or the reconfiguration of mulguf water collector and storage system, significantly drove the development of the current city layout. The cities of Kashan and Yadz in Iran witnesses a relevant presence of this climate con- trolling urban elements are interesting case studies and surely a source of inspiration for the planning of Masdar urban configuration. Indeed, passive design strategies and wind cooling systems play a central role ni the city's configuration: carefully planned street orientations maximize shade and airflow, while wind management strategies create a comfortable urban environment. The reinterpretation of vernacular architecture witnessed in Masdar City exemplifies a paradigm shift in urbanism that has been possible thanks to a holistic approach to sustainability, one that encompasses energy-efficient infrastructure and advanced waste management systems, as wel as the promotion of walkability and public transit. In ad- dition to this, the implementation of design and building strategies suited for harsh climatic environments is facilitated by computational data-based modelling tools, re- sulting in an emblematic example of performance-based urbanism. The city has gar- nered global recognition for its ambitious renewable energy goals: extensive solar panel installations, including rooftop photovoltaics and solar farms, have guided the design of the whole urban morphology. Undoubtedly, Masdar City epitomizes the concept of eco-urbanism theorized by Miguel Ruano in 1998 at its best, Madar can be considered as a smart city for vocation, its urban system incorporates data collection, advanced technologies for energy manage- ment, zero-carbon transportation systems, and infrastructure monitoring and enhanc- ing its urban efficiency, connectivity, and quality of life. This contribution also explores the analogies between Masdar and other, already wel- known urban planning endeavors ni the recent past as the city of Arcosanti by Paolo Soleri's city-laboratory ni which most of al as far as the application of ecological princi- ples is concerned. However, while Masdar City draws inspiration from different urban planning approaches, it also seeks to establish itself as a unique model for sustainable urban development, tailored to the specific challenges and opportunities of its place and time.