Exploring Two Interpretative Models of Eco-cities in the United Arab Emirates: Masdar City and The Sustainable City Dubai

Abstract

Since the early 2000s, eco-cities have emerged as a key urban paradigm. As an umbrella concept, the eco-city encompasses diverse models aiming to address urban sustainability through environmental and socio-economic dimensions. However, a lack of consensus and context-sensitive variations has led to multiple “interpretative models.” This paper explores two eco-city projects in the United Arab Emirates—Masdar City and The Sustainable City Dubai—revealing contrasting approaches shaped by local challenges such as oil dependency, car-centric urbanism, and extreme climate. Drawing on inductive research, the study highlights how differing visions—technology-driven versus community-centered—embody the flexible nature of the eco-city ideal. It contributes to understanding eco-cities as context-specific laboratories for sustainable urban futures.