Fascinating...

Masdar, a sustainable carbon-neutral metropolis designed by the architects Foster & Partners and located 20 miles from downtown Abu Dhabi, opened this week.

Residents began to arrive to the 1st sections of the 3 1/2 acre zone that is part of the sustainability-oriented research institute. Eventually the city will house 45,000 residents and welcome 45,000 commuters each day.

click on title to go to the NY Times slide show