City of the Future?

Ski Dubai is the Middle East's first indoor ski
park—one of several projects that have turned
Dubai into a major metropolis. But this growth
has an environmental cost, largely due to the city's
dependence on fossil fuels. Now Dubai is looking to
take action to reduce its ecological footprint.

To appreciate the audacity1 of Dubai, you could start by going
skiing. The ski resort, located inside one of the city's shopping
malls, looks from the outside like a silver spaceship. You put on a
thick coat, pull on your gloves—and then marvel at what strong
air-conditioning can do. At the exit, you can buy a souvenir
T-shirt. A cartoon thermometer in Celsius announces: "I went
from +50 to minus 8!"

Indoor skiing in the desert has become a symbol of Dubai's status
as a wealthy, modern metropolis. Originally a small fishing village,
Dubai's fortunes changed forever with the discovery of oil in the
1960s. Since then, it has evolved to become the largest city in the
United Arab Emirates, with over three million residents, huge
shopping malls, and a hundred high-rise towers. But the rapid
growth has come at a price. To power its cars and air-conditioning,
the city has produced large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2)
from fossil fuels. By 2006, Dubai had one of the largest ecological
footprints in the world. But now it is making some big changes.

To reduce its dependence on cars and lower its emissions,
Dubai has invested in solar energy, green buildings, and a
comprehensive public transportation system. Gleaming
driverless trains now run beside the main roads. In addition,
all new buildings must meet strict energy regulations. Smart
lighting and cooling systems must switch off when no people are
present in a room. New buildings must also use solar panels for
water heating. "The leadership has recognized that the growth
of the economy is not sustainable without taking action on
emissions," says Tanzeed Alam, a climate and energy specialist.

The most striking development can be found where the city's
suburbs meet the desert. Unlike much of Dubai, the Sustainable
City to the south feels more like a close-knit2 village community.
About five hundred low-rise houses are distributed along
attractive, tree-lined streets. They all face north, away from direct
sunlight, and are close together to provide natural shade. Each
building has reflective3 windows and wall paint, which reduce the 1 Audacity is a willingness to be bold and daring.

heat absorbed from the sun. Rooftop solar panels and energy-saving lights contribute
to the community's energy efficiency. As a result, residents of the Sustainable City
now consume 50 percent less energy than people living in other parts of Dubai.

A decade ago, the idea of a fully sustainable community was thought to be
unrealistic. But times have changed, says Faris Saeed, one of the creators of the
Sustainable City. So, too, have prices. The cost of living in the Sustainable City is
similar to some of Dubai's other neighborhoods. "It's a myth4 that sustainable has to
be more expensive," Saeed says.

Dubai's leaders hope the Sustainable City will become a model for the future.
By 2050, the government intends to obtain 75 percent of the city's energy from
renewable sources—mainly solar. It also wants to have the smallest ecological
footprint in the world. The plan is audacious. But if successful, even guilt-free skiing
in the desert could become an environmentally sustainable reality.