Abu Dhabi

With all the development taking place in Abu Dhabi... here are few high-profile projects:

Yas Island:

From the same developers of the Central Market... this 2,500 hectares island will be a paradise for every motor-sports enthusiast. 30-minutes away from the Abu Dhabi City... it will host the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009... it will have a Ferrari theme park, race tracks for rally driving, drag racing, and go-karting... And if you are not into motor sport don't worry... you'll have a water park, roller coasters, marinas, beaches, golf courses, polo fields, theatre, nature reserve, offices, retail, apartments, hotels and everything you'll need and want available. Here is a promotional video for Yas Island and here is a link for more Al-Dar developments.

Masdar City:

Launched by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Masdar is a dense walled mixed-used city that is supposed to be "the first zero-carbon, waste-free city in the world". Surrounded by PV power plants and Wind farms, the city will be car free and will create pedestrian-friendly environment in a pedestrian-unfriendly climate by having narrow streets and shaded walkways. Rail and public transport systems will be within a maximum distance of 200m.

Abu Dhabi Airport:

With the establishment of Etihad Airways, the new Abu Dhabi government airline at 2003. Its only logical to think about expanding the airport of a developing city. The master plan developed by SOM includes a new runway, new terminal complex, new cargo areas, free trade zones, commercial and leisure development areas, available space for further expansion for other airport activity, and development strategy for the region around the airport.

Of course... like any aspiring city they have invited a few "starchitects" to propose few daring/shitty designs (whichever you want to look at it). Jean nouvel, Zaha Hadid, Frank Ghery and Tadao Ando all have submitted proposals for radical designs to enhance the city's image in the world's map.