Bush hails 'green' city plans in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: US President George W. Bush was yesterday impressed at plans for the world's first zero-carbon, zero-waste, car-free city to be built in Abu Dhabi.

"I was amazed at the advanced state of the UAE and how the country is using its resources to develop alternative energy and how it is building a city that is fully powered by renewable energy, so that the whole world can learn what works and what does not in the city," Bush said as he reviewed an exhibit of the city at Emirates Palace.

The US President, accompanied by General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, was briefed about the Masdar initiative, a multi-faceted, multi-billion dollar investment in renewable and alternative energy and clean technology, by Dr Sultan Ahmad Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar.

Al Jaber told Bush that Masdar is a comprehensive investment in future energy solutions and clean technology -from design to research laboratory to mass deployment.

He added that the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology would open next year.

"The city, growing eventually to 1,500 businesses and 50,000 residents, will be home to international business and top minds in the field of sustainable and alternative energy. It will be built in six square kilometres.

"Of this, 30 per cent will be zoned for housing; 24 per cent for the business and research district; 13 per cent for commercial purposes, including lighting and manufacturing; 6 per cent for the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology; 19 per cent for service and transportation and 8 per cent for civic and cultural pursuits," he said.

Praising the city as a model society powered by clean technology, Bush said the city is "an opportunity to share this [clean] technology with the UAE."

"I hope my visit will be an opportunity to work constructively with the UAE in all fields," he added. Al Jaber said President Bush was especially interested in the partnerships the UAE had developed with businesses and academic institutions in the United States.

"I look forward to continuing this discussion with United States Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman next week at the World Future Energy Summit" he added.