Masdar City - 100% car free

[Desert_Seg]

On Monday, at the World Future Energy Summit, Masdar (http://www.masdaruae.com/), an investment arm of the UAE Government, unveiled Masdar City, the world's first zero-pollution, zero-waste city.

Mascar City, which will be capable of housing 47,000 people, ancillary services, schools, and industry, will be built on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi and will be 100% car free (can you say Segway?????).

You can read more about Masdar City at these two links (1 (http://www.news.com/8301-11128_3-9853581-54.html), 2 (http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_52/b4064057939494.htm)) or by searching for "Masdar City". I'm excited about this city and look forward to being around not only for it's launch (next month) but for it's initial opening (next year) and for the move-in.

Now, why can't we have more cities like this?

In case you don't know, Masdar, via their CleanTech Fund (http://www.masdarctf.com/portfolio.htm), is an investor in Segway and a GREAT supporter of our product and technology.

Steven

[SegWayne]

On Monday, at the World Future Energy Summit, Masdar (http://www.masdaruae.com/), an investment arm of the UAE Government, unveiled Masdar City, the world's first zero-pollution, zero-waste city.

Mascar City, which will be capable of housing 47,000 people, ancillary services, schools, and industry, will be built on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi and will be 100% car free (can you say Segway?????).

You can read more about Masdar City at these two links (1 (http://www.news.com/8301-11128_3-9853581-54.html), 2 (http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_52/b4064057939494.htm)) or by searching for "Masdar City". I'm excited about this city and look forward to being around not only for it's launch (next month) but for it's initial opening (next year) and for the move-in.

Now, why can't we have more cities like this?

In case you don't know, Masdar, via their CleanTech Fund (http://www.masdarctf.com/portfolio.htm), is an investor in Segway and a GREAT supporter of our product and technology.

Steven

Thanks Steven

[nickyboy]

On Monday, at the World Future Energy Summit, Masdar (http://www.masdaruae.com/), an investment arm of the UAE Government, unveiled Masdar City, the world's first zero-pollution, zero-waste city.

Mascar City, which will be capable of housing 47,000 people, ancillary services, schools, and industry, will be built on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi and will be 100% car free (can you say Segway?????).

You can read more about Masdar City at these two links (1 (http://www.news.com/8301-11128_3-9853581-54.html), 2 (http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_52/b4064057939494.htm)) or by searching for "Masdar City". I'm excited about this city and look forward to being around not only for it's launch (next month) but for it's initial opening (next year) and for the move-in.

Now, why can't we have more cities like this?

In case you don't know, Masdar, via their CleanTech Fund (http://www.masdarctf.com/portfolio.htm), is an investor in Segway and a GREAT supporter of our product and technology.

Steven

So, is this the (belated) start of Dean's vision I wonder?

It must be very rewarding living and working in such a forward thinking country.

[Desert_Seg]

So, is this the (belated) start of Dean's vision I wonder?

It must be very rewarding living and working in such a forward thinking country.

I think that this is a start for Abu Dhabi and UAE. However, with all the SUVs, high-performance vehicles, and pollution-belching trucks/buses, there still is a long way to go.

I get aggravated every time I get home and I see my neighbors outside lights on...in the middle of the day. They don't pay the electric bill (their company does) so they have no incentive to turn off the lights.

It aggravates me even more when I see people watering the road (sprinkler system on for 30 minutes, flooding the street).

Yes, Masdar City is a good start and while lots more needs to be done we have to start somewhere and Abu Dhabi is setting the bar high.

Steven

[quade]

On Monday, at the World Future Energy Summit, Masdar (http://www.masdaruae.com/), an investment arm of the UAE Government, unveiled Masdar City, the world's first zero-pollution, zero-waste city.

Uh, good luck with that . . . "zero-pollution, zero-waste" . . . good thing they didn't claim zero-bs.

I applaud the idea, but the reality simply isn't possible.

[nickyboy]

I think that this is a start for Abu Dhabi and UAE. However, with all the SUVs, high-performance vehicles, and pollution-belching trucks/buses, there still is a long way to go.

I get aggravated every time I get home and I see my neighbors outside lights on...in the middle of the day. They don't pay the electric bill (their company does) so they have no incentive to turn off the lights.

It aggravates me even more when I see people watering the road (sprinkler system on for 30 minutes, flooding the street).

Yes, Masdar City is a good start and while lots more needs to be done we have to start somewhere and Abu Dhabi is setting the bar high.

Steven

You and I are on the same wavelength. I think the most frustrating thing for me is when I see people sitting in the car with the engine running whilst parked and waiting for someone. Whilst I appreciate that in the very hot or very cold weather this may be necessary, most of the time (well here in the UK anyway!) the weather is not so extreme that it requires it. These are the people who, of course, will be the first to complain when the petrol runs out!

Oh no, now you've done it.............the soapbox is coming out:D

[Desert_Seg]

Uh, good luck with that . . . "zero-pollution, zero-waste" . . . good thing they didn't claim zero-bs.

I applaud the idea, but the reality simply isn't possible.

Hmmm, I guess the amount of scientists, conservationists, and others who claim it is means nothing. Nobody said it would be easy but the plans are there to make it happen and many believe it will happen.

Why do you think it can't happen?

Steven

[nickyboy]

Uh, good luck with that . . . "zero-pollution, zero-waste" . . . good thing they didn't claim zero-bs.

I applaud the idea, but the reality simply isn't possible.

Just as well all the great thinkers through history saw thing differently. If we all shrugged and said it can't be done we would never make any progress.

Aim for the stars and if you fall short you'll reach the moon etc etc

[SegWayne]

Uh, good luck with that . . . "zero-pollution, zero-waste" . . . good thing they didn't claim zero-bs.

I applaud the idea, but the reality simply isn't possible.

Quade, you must be a direct heritage link through Kitty Hawk, which of course does NOT have a Wright family branch, just to the rest of the nay-sayers..... that's ok, those folks originated the saying, "Well I'll be d*mn, they did it"......

[hellphish]

Hmmm, I guess the amount of scientists, conservationists, and others who claim it is means nothing. Nobody said it would be easy but the plans are there to make it happen and many believe it will happen.

Why do you think it can't happen?

Steven

So these scientists have figured out how to eliminate friction entirely, yet still have these frictionless machines stay together and do work? They've figured out how to make 100% efficient (no loss) power plants?

If there are no cars, then how do the various industries get their product out? A series of tubes perhaps?

Zero-pollution, zero-waste, 100% efficient are very tall claims. There is a company that claims to be able to produce totally free power. But they won't let anybody see their technology. You know why? Because it doesn't exist... A little problem called thermodynamics kinda mucks the whole thing up.

Still, I applaud this city for making what appears to be a very strong effort to really make a difference. You just need to be careful what terms you use in front of a technical audience.


EDIT: On rereading the OP, I see that Masdar aims to be a zero-pollution, zero-waste city. Does that mean they figured out a way to move all the pollution and waste to another city? (Kidding, but feel free to -rep me if you think I'm being a snide brat! :-)

[SegWayne]

...You just need to be careful what terms you use in front of a technical audience...

Well the reality (what ever that is) is that we are picking apart news articles written by folks who probably had to look up most of the words they used... try this quote

""This is a place that has no carbon footprint ........," said Khaled Awad, director of the Masdar project's property development unit.""

Quite different as here the sum of the pluses and the minuses equal zero..... Very popular in the EU and GB where they set their minds at ease by purchasing "carbon credits" to off-set everything from air travel to electricity.

[quade]

Why do you think it can't happen?

Take any energy gathering technology you care to and tell me how it is created in such a way that it causes zero pollution and zero waste during its construction. Its simply not possible with any technology we currently have.

The city itself caused pollution and waste simply by being constructed.

Like I said previously, "I applaud the idea, but the reality simply isn't possible."

[Mr_Laurenzano]

Now, why can't we have more cities like this?

In case you don't know, Masdar, via their CleanTech Fund (http://www.masdarctf.com/portfolio.htm), is an investor in Segway and a GREAT supporter of our product and technology.

Steven[/QUOTE]

Now, why can't we have more people like this?
We do.
To be?~
Or not to be?~


It’s the greatest minds in the world being called out to play. We used to do that. I feel the great worlds have always noted intelligence and hard work as life’s greatest commodity. There are melting pots everywhere but not all of them have a plasma torch, or do they?
MTV could bring back unplugged, a day in the park would last all year, and lines at the pump would be an RMA delivering mail and groceries. Import and export taxes would make future carbon taxes in the US look like a glass of tea in any port of call.
Oh where oh where has the centaur gone where oh where could it be?
Nice. Do they need nurses?
Crash;) Wicked Tight

[SegWayne]

....causes zero pollution and zero waste during its construction"

In 5 articles I've read so far only the writer has characterized this as a "zero pollution and zero waste" project. Anyone connected to the project and quoted has said it will not have a "carbon footprint".

Two very different things.

[SegWayne]

It’s the greatest minds in the world being called out to play....

com'on now, Crash makes sense to me again.... twice in one day... I'm going home and take a nap, way too much for one day...

[KSagal]

I like this carbon credit sham... Err, I mean...

I am again offering my Carbon Credits for sale... I guarentee that you can continue to Live a life of waste and excess, and I will make it all better...

Just send me money, and I will do enough green stuff to compensate for your bloated life. The more bloated you are, the more money you should send me...

For rates to carbon equalize your whole life, send me a copy of your net worth, and a list of everything you own.

For the ala carte method, just send me some money, and I will do green stuff commensurate with what you send me.

I include certificates to frame and put on the wall to show your friends...

[Mr_Laurenzano]

and conciesvie
without huu.
in from a wet, glad wrap glide, you know cracked, HB.
light.
crash

[polo_pro]

I'm surprised no one has brought up the Steve Jobs/Jeff Bezos prediction that "They'll build cities around the segway". Maybe the Masdar city planners have other ideas, but I'd hope that Segway INC (along with desert_seg's help) would see the opportunity to make that old prediction start coming true!

ps - I'd think city planners would have an easier time of integrating mass transit into a carless suburb if every house was sold with 2 segways and a golf cart. The train station around the perimeter would have to be redesigned with bike/segway lockers and much smaller parking spaces. Also, I'd think that car rental companies would love the business opportunity when a family decides to travel to a far away city by car the handful of times it happens each year.

[jryan]

I think we are moving in the right direction here in the U.S.! I do believe global warming is real and is a danger. I think that the U.S. could benefit from models of other countries! For instance in many european nations cars are significantly smaller overall and when I have visited other places in the past I have realized a difference in the air!

The fact is that fossil fueled SUV's are going out of style. Now if I only had money the Lexus RX400h would be a great idea. One day I hope INC. looks into more realistic replacements for cars!

The Segway is a great alternative for a car assuming you don't need to go very far and the climate is good! Now if they could only make a Segway that was meant as a car replacement (faster, longer life, heat and ac, and of course a different design because the current one could not support all these features) than there would be no need for cars!

Jeremy Ryan

P.S. Desert_Seg Great article, do you plan on living there? And did you notice before posting the link 2 that there was a flyer featuring a Segway on it?

[Desert_Seg]

All good questions. My answers (based on the little information I have) are below:

So these scientists have figured out how to eliminate friction entirely, yet still have these frictionless machines stay together and do work? They've figured out how to make 100% efficient (no loss) power plants? ...

Electricity is being produced by solar, wind, and waste.

- Outside of the "walls" of the city will be a large solar field, wind turbines, and a "waste to power" generation plant.

- Inside the "walls" all buildings will have solar panels and the shade canopies will likely (not finalized) have embedded solar panels.

... If there are no cars, then how do the various industries get their product out? A series of tubes perhaps? ...

All goods from outside the "walls" may be delivered by standard methods. Inside the "walls" all goods will move underground via an electric transport system. And your "tubes" aren't so far off. However, when I mentioned industries I didn't mean to infer there would be manufacturing plants as I don't think this will be the case (but I'm not 100% sure).

... Zero-pollution, zero-waste, 100% efficient are very tall claims. There is a company that claims to be able to produce totally free power. But they won't let anybody see their technology. You know why? Because it doesn't exist... A little problem called thermodynamics kinda mucks the whole thing up. ...

Agree 100%. However, Masdar City will be using 100% naturally produced energy. They aren't saying there won't be any energy loss.

... Still, I applaud this city for making what appears to be a very strong effort to really make a difference. You just need to be careful what terms you use in front of a technical audience. ...

The audience we had for WFES was a technical as you are going to get. They believe it can happen, so do I.

... EDIT: On rereading the OP, I see that Masdar aims to be a zero-pollution, zero-waste city. Does that mean they figured out a way to move all the pollution and waste to another city? (Kidding, but feel free to -rep me if you think I'm being a snide brat! :-)

No neg rep points for questions. As for the zero-waste, they will be converting it into energy.

Steven

[Desert_Seg]

... Nice. Do they need nurses?
Crash;) Wicked Tight

Why yes they do. Nurses are one of the services that is in highest demand here as almost all are "imported".

My ex-girlfriend was (is) a Nurse here.

Steven

[Desert_Seg]

... P.S. Desert_Seg Great article, do you plan on living there? And did you notice before posting the link 2 that there was a flyer featuring a Segway on it?

Yes, I'd consider moving there but that won't happen for at least another 3 years.

As for the flyer, it is part of the Business Week article (in the mag).

Steven

[Desert_Seg]

In 5 articles I've read so far only the writer has characterized this as a "zero pollution and zero waste" project. Anyone connected to the project and quoted has said it will not have a "carbon footprint".

Two very different things.

In the Masdar PR it states "Masdar City will be the world’s first zero-carbon, zero-waste, car-free city, aiming to exceed the 10 sustainability principles of “One Planet Living™”"

Yes, there will be pollution and waste in the construction, but let's not get caught up in that one detail. Any city that is being built will have this waste. However, having spoken to some of the consultants I know that they are also carefully looking at ways to minimize pollution and waste during the construction process.

Currently all cities / buildings constructed also have ongoing waste, pollution, etc. To have a city that doesn't have the ongoing problems is a HUGE step forward.

Steven

[jryan]

Two more questions:

1. How do they plan to handle trash? Will they have a landfill or dump outside the city? Or quite possibly underground?

2. How much will units in this city cost (approximate price range if you know it)?


Jeremy Ryan

[Desert_Seg]

Two more questions:

1. How do they plan to handle trash? Will they have a landfill or dump outside the city? Or quite possibly underground?

2. How much will units in this city cost (approximate price range if you know it)?


Jeremy Ryan

1. Trash will be recycled and turned into energy.

2. No, I don't know how much units will cost as I don't think pricing has been set yet.

FYI, anybody who wants additional information please let me know. I visit Masdar once a month and have some good contacts there so I can probably get the answers / information. I can also scan & e-mail documents if needed and when I hit the US (quarterly) I can put the stuff in the mail.

Steven

[quade]

FYI, anybody who wants additional information please let me know. I visit Masdar once a month and . . .

Man, if I were you I wouldn't just be visiting, I'd be setting up a shop in downtown.

That's going to be one hell of a monopoly.

[Desert_Seg]

Man, if I were you I wouldn't just be visiting, I'd be setting up a shop in downtown.

That's going to be one hell of a monopoly.

To be clear...I visit Masdar offices once a month.

I'm looking at setting up offices in both Masdar City and Masdar Free Zone.

Speaking of Monopoly, that's a great segue into my next post.

Steven

[jryan]

A great segue into your next post or a great Segway into your next post?????



Jeremy Ryan

[Desert_Seg]

A great segue into your next post or a great Segway into your next post?????

Jeremy Ryan

Segue - a smooth, uninterrupted transition from one thing to another

Segway - a two-wheeled self-balancing personal transportation device

I was referring to a segue (smoothly done thanks to Quade) to my next post on Monopoly pieces.

Steven

[KSagal]

Some of the waste to energy issues sound better than they are in reality. Logistics really wreck havoc here...

How will the trash get from the point of creation (the consumer who took products and coverted them to trash) to the point of conversion from that state (waste) to energy?

Even if they use electric vehicles, there is much energy loss in charging and converting it...

I suppose you could use giant vaccuum tubes, and each building could be fitted with an access port, but it would be an engineering marvel to be able to toss your gum wrapper into the trash bin and have it just show up at the power plant outside the walls.

Still, the idea has merit. I wish it luck.

[jryan]

Some of the waste to energy issues sound better than they are in reality. Logistics really wreck havoc here...

How will the trash get from the point of creation (the consumer who took products and coverted them to trash) to the point of conversion from that state (waste) to energy?

Even if they use electric vehicles, there is much energy loss in charging and converting it...

I suppose you could use giant vaccuum tubes, and each building could be fitted with an access port, but it would be an engineering marvel to be able to toss your gum wrapper into the trash bin and have it just show up at the power plant outside the walls.

Still, the idea has merit. I wish it luck.


It does seem like there will be a lot of challenges. The idea does not seem an easy one to accomplish!

However you must think that the idea of a two wheeled scooter that could balance itself would have been a very hard one to accomplish! I really don't think the problem is how to make the city run as it should.

I think the main challenge is going to be financial! Building such a city will cost billions of dollars! Also the problem will be getting people to buy housing. Certainly once converted the price of everything in the city will go up!

I have one more question Steven: How are they going to keep waste and pollution from outside the city from coming in?


Jeremy Ryan

[Desert_Seg]

... I think the main challenge is going to be financial! Building such a city will cost billions of dollars! Also the problem will be getting people to buy housing. Certainly once converted the price of everything in the city will go up! ...

Hmmm. Since Abu Dhabi produces more than 2.5M barrels of oil a day they aren't short of money. Using an average price of $80 a barrel, they make $250M a day. Considering that their oil is the cheapest to process, it is estimated they get more than 30% net profit, or a minimum of $75M profit per day. (FYI, the actual estimate of net profits is greater than 60%).

So, let's imagine that Masdar City costs $2B to build. Well, they can pay for it in 30 days...and have change left over.

Oh, and don't forget they then sell it, and make more money. And don't worry about people buying the houses, they haven't yet had a problem selling any of the thousands they are building.

... I have one more question Steven: How are they going to keep waste and pollution from outside the city from coming in?


Jeremy Ryan

This is a city that will CREATE no waste / pollution. Nothing about them controlling what is already out there.

Steven

[Desert_Seg]

Good article in today's paper about Masdar City.

http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Environment/10184552.html

Segway is prominently mentioned as a key form of transportation.

Steven

[Desert_Seg]

Another good article about Masdar City, this time in Arabian Business.

This article answers many of the questions posed earlier.

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/509083-how-far-would-you-go-to-be-green

Steven

[SegWayne]

Another good article about Masdar City, this time in Arabian Business.

This article answers many of the questions posed earlier.

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/509083-how-far-would-you-go-to-be-green

Steven

My continued thanks Steven......

maybe a new, locked thread, for news just related to this should be started in-as-much-as the Segway is the professed EPAMD of choice for the project......