Architects Foster + Partners’ zero carbon project set for Abu Dhabi desert is to go ahead as planned, with construction to begin next month.

Four consultants are vying to work on the $22bn Masdar development in Abu Dhabi, all of whom are UK based firms; Atkins, Pell Frischmann, Hyder and Halcrow. The winning bidder will be announced in the next two weeks. The developer on the scheme is Future Energy Company, owned by the Abu Dhabi government.

The carbon neutral city, set to be built in the middle of the desert in Abu Dhabi, will be home to 50,000 residents and is intended to function without damage to the environment or producing any waste.

If successful, the Foster and Partners project will be the largest sustainable city to date - larger than Dongtan, the development currently underway in China.

Power for the Masdar will be generated by rooftop photovoltaic panels and a concentrating solar power plant. Transport within the site will be provided by a light rail system. There will be no cars within the development but there will be a fleet of driverless taxis running on raised tracks.

A desalination plant for water will run on solar power, and all waste will be composted and recycled for use.

Phase of the development is due to be completed in 2009.

Source: Building.co.uk