image via The New York Times
This year the much-touted Masdar City in Abu Dhabi finally got its first building, and the first round of MIST students filed in to take their place in what one called “outer space.” Critics have crucified architects Foster & Partners for their yet unfulfilled claims to create a zero-carbon, zero-waste city with untold “eco-frills.” Nicolai Ouroussoff from The New York Times called it a playground for the rich. Regardless of the criticism, Masdar continues to plow forward with one of the most ambitious alternative energy projects in the world.
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
