Dubai has the knack of adopting green technologies and integrating them into sustainable development projects, giving rise to marvels like Rotating Wind Power Tower, DuBiotech, High-Tech Cybertechture, and many more. The latest project to appear on the horizon is Xeritown, an urban complex designed to work in harmony with the environment of the region through site specific and climate sensitive architecture and planning.
Proposed to be built in the emerging Dubailand, a new extension of Dubai, more...

The new headquarters of DuBiotech in Dubai is set to be one of the world’s largest green buildings. The LEED certified 22-story headquarters and laboratory buildings will be home to the center of excellence for biotechnology education and research, with two connected buildings oriented to maximize day-lighting and views while minimizing solar gain. It will also integrate a 500,000 sq ft animal reserve for indigenous conservation and wildlife protection.The design comes form design firm CUH2A, more...

The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council was created by Emiri Decree number 23 of the year 2007 and is the agency responsible for the future of Abu Dhabi’s urban environments, and the expert authority behind the visionary Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan published September 2007.

In 2015 the city will only use energy from solar panels and PVs. Water will be produced by solar driven desalinizing. Green areas as well as surounding agriculture are watered by sewage water from bath, dish and washing water. International companies and competence moves to the city to study and to be a part of innovations. The name of the city is Masdar City and is planned to be six square kilometers in Abu Dabi in United Arab Emirates. The aim is to create a town with zero emissions of fossil more...

James Calder talks about a 14 hour working city concept which re–engineers the working days from the 'nine to five' model into an early and late shift with an overlap in the middle for urban sustainability.

An article in the New Colonist explains that the following characteristics are the requirements of a healthy city -

1. Fixed transit, preferably rail, above and below ground. Subways along all major travel corridors; buses or trams on all secondary corridors;
2. Mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhoods;
3. Buildings of different age, condition, and size;
4. Living spaces everywhere, especially near downtown;
5. Large or small public squares at all significant intersections;
6. Lots of peopl more...

The City of Cape Town is the southernmost metropolitan area on the African continent. The local government is committed to developing a world-class African city, and establishing it as a leader in sustainable energy initiatives. This commitment, along with the support and seed funding that Cape Town has received from ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) have been critical drivers in getting the city to address its greenhouse gas e more...

By Trudy Harpham. Published by the Center for Sustainable Urban Development, Earth Institute, Columbia University ( July 2007). This paper concerns urban health systems in developing counties (the South) and considers the determinants and outcomes of urban health and the activities that link them. It also identifies challenges for action and priorities for research. Because cities are particularly complex in terms of the range of poverty, environmental, social and service factors that can determ more...

The United Nations has designated the first Monday in October each year as World Habitat Day. The idea is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right to adequate shelter for all. It is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat. The global observance of the occasion this year will be led from the Angolan capital, Luanda. The celebrations in Angola will show the world, how the country, after years of conflict, is more...

Since its creation in 2004, UCLG has established itself as the reference World Organization of local and regional governments and their associations. It has gained recognition by representing their interests as part of the broad international governance agenda and uniting their voice before the international community. The international advocacy actions developed by UCLG on issues such as the Millennium Development Goals, Gender Equality, AIDS and Decentralization have resulted in benchmarking i more...