Compare and Contrast: Two Mega-Developments In The Desert
Two new massive tourist/residential/commercial mixed-use developments are underway in the desert. One in the Middle East and one in Las Vegas. The number factor in the viability of any desert project is accounting for the environmental conditions presented by temperature extremes that would be considered inhospitable by most. This usually means expending energy on an order of magnitude that would seem almost obscene to some. However, both of these projects not only reduce energy use, but are more efficient and environmentally friendly than projects in much more temperate areas.
First up - the massive multi-billion dollar Abu Dhabi carbon-neutral and zero waste city envisioned by sometimes controversial Norman Foster of Foster + Partners:
World’s first zero carbon, zero waste city in Abu Dhabi The first project as a result of the Masdar Initiative is a new 6 million square meter sustainable development that uses the traditional planning principals of a walled city, together with existing technologies, to achieve a zero carbon and zero waste community. Masterplanned by Foster + Partners, the initiative has been driven by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, and will be a centre for the development of new ideas for energy production. Masdar responds to the urban identity of Abu Dhabi while offering a sustainable urban blueprint for the future. Due to be launched at Cityscape Abu Dhabi 2007, it is an ambitious project that will attract the highest levels of international expertise and commerce, providing a mixed-use, high-density city. The exciting programme includes a new university, the Headquarters for Abu Dhabi’s Future Energy Company, special economic zones and an Innovation Center.
Next is the $7B MGM CityCenter encompassing 76 acres on the Las Vegas Strip (who knew there was 76 acres available on the Strip?) master-planned by Ehrenkrantz Eckstut and Kuhn Architects and featuring the contributions of a variety of high profile architects:
CityCenter is expected to cost over $7 billion. The original cost estimate was $4 billion, but had been pushed up by rising construction costs and earlier design changes. MGM Mirage expects to build over 2,800 condo-hotel and condominium units within Project CityCenter. The Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas hotel at CityCenter will include 400 hotel suites as well as more than 200 condominium units designed to appeal to an international demographic. Two leaning 400-unit condo towers, located in the middle of the CityCenter site and above several floors of retail space, are designed for younger demographic who desire living in an urban environment. CityCenter will also include a 4,000-room resort hotel designed by world renowned architect Cesar Pelli, and more than 500,000 square feet of retail space. The other condo buildings include a condo-hotel with about 300 apartments and a bigger tower with about 1,500 condo-hotel units.
The multi-use project is being designed with green technologies to make it one of the world’s largest environmentally sustainable urban communities. Plans include garden roofs, the use of reclaimed water, and an on-site power plant. MGM Mirage will pursue LEED certification for the project as outlined by the U.S. Green Building Council. MGM Mirage has reached a $100 million agreement with Siemens to design and build a central energy plant to help power and cool Project CityCenter.
13 May 2007 | Business, Construction, General, Green Building | Comments
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