JUL 31

60 acres is not a "city"--it's barely a subdivision.

I wouldn't go praising Dubai up and down for their token "green" efforts just yet, considering the nation is also home to some of the most ridiculous monuments to excess ever created. Anyone out there familiar with the Dubai "Ski Dome" (www.skidubai.com)? Or how about the man-made "Palm" and "World" islands (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Islands)?

Dubai is not interested in environmental responsibility except as a means of attracting more tourism and development dollars to the country. Give them credit for their foresight, however. They've recognized that their oil reserves rae not going to last forever, and so are trying to re-cast themselves into the Las Vegas of the middle east.

I'd like to see a city with a partial dome of solar panels. Shade and power would be a direct result. Desalinate seawater and super-treat the sewage to have enough water to run evaporative coolers and the result could be a temperate climate not unlike a northern rainforest. Humidity slows temperature swings common in the desert. Designers could learn about dome building in the real world before setting up shop on mars as well.

However a dome would be a very inefficient geometry for capturing sunlight, or for making shade :)

You have to start somewhere, don't you. I praise their efforts, and we have yet to see something similar happening across the pond.

They just have more money to spend on capital improvements and green experiments. Their citizens do not pay taxes plus have free healthcare and college tuition. Very few nations have this kind of wealth to spread around, especially not the U.S. Also the Middle East is a hotbed for green innovations (look at Israel for example) their governments and business leaders simply GET that the oil economies of the world are coming to an end. By building the infrastructure and experimenting now, while they have the spoils of the oil economy, they are hoping to set themselves up for the time when growth and energy comes from some other source.

We just have to realize it’s all over for the U.S. in general. We will NEVER have the money to make green capital improvements. Only the rich, well off municipalities and corporations willing to spend their excess funds will benefit from green building. Most states, cities and the federal government just don't have the cash for this type of experimentation. Future energy costs will simply be passed on to citizens and customers. That’s the only solution we have left in the U.S.

They've centered the city so that the ocean breeze air-conditions the entire city.

Really? When I was in Dubai, it was only May and it was so hot I could barely breathe. There must be more to their plans to cool the city than breezes from the Persian Gulf.

I'm intrigued by their green efforts, too, but I agree with Flahooler to some extent. That town, although a blast to visit, is a monument to excess and consumption: a massive indoor ski slope, an enormous indoor shopping mall, those palm and world islands, the many massive air-conditioned hotels and office spaces, the palatial homes, and the rampant development in the form of many, many condos and "villages". However, it is interesting to see what can be accomplished in an area where money seems to be no object. I'm watching with interest.

As excessive as Dubia is, their contribution to the green movement could be unparalleled. This kind of funding compiled with the extravagant life style could spawn some unimaginable technological advances. Who knows? I too will be watching with interest.

Charles Precht
Sustainable Design
www.sustainablehomeplans.com