Speaking of the United Arab Emirates (see previous post), I’m tres, tres intrigued by this carbon neutral city I hear the country has in the works. Construction on Masdar City broke ground early last month, but the $22 billion initiative is not slated for completion until 2016.

Ultimately, the world’s first carbon-neutral city will house 50,000 residents and 1,500 businesses. It will not allow cars, but will require residents and visitors to reply on public transportation. The entirety of the city’s power will come from solar and wind energy sources, and the local water supply will be provided through a combination of desalinization and waste water purification.

The development may not be finished for another eight years, but it will be inhabitable by sometime next year.