Dubai’s Sustainable City Will be Powered by 600,000 Square Feet of Solar Cells

London-based <a href="http://www.baharash.com/" target="_blank">Baharash Architecture</a> was recently selected to design the phase 2 of the Dubai Sustainable City development – the first green residential community of its kind in <a href="http://inhabitat.com/a-utopian-vision-for-food-city-dubai/" target="_blank">Dubai</a>. Master-planned by Stringa Planning Studio, the 46-hectare city will produce 50 percent of its own energy with <a href="http://inhabitat.com/dubais-park-gate-is-a-solar-powered-desert-oasis/park-gate-7/" target="_blank">solar panels</a> and it will offset its carbon footprint by introducing alternative modes of transportation.

The construction of Dubai Sustainable City is planned over 4 phases.

According to Diamond Developers, the first batch of 100 villas and townhouses at the Dubai Sustainable City will be delivered by the end of 2014, while the final phase is expected to be complete by 2016.

After winning an international competition for the development of phase 2, <a href="http://www.baharash.com/" target="_blank">Baharash Architecture</a> will open an office in Dubai.

Phase 2 will consist of a mixed-use zone, a mosque, the Institute for Ecological Engineering, a museum and planetarium, a “green” school, an eco-resort, a country club and a equestrian center.

The city will cover 46 hectares with 550 residential villas, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/organic-farm/">organic farms</a>, educational facilities, and 600,000 square feet of solar panels.

Each house within the city will be equipped with solar panels, which will provide residents with 60 percent of their energy needs.

The project will also feature a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/smart-hand-pumps-could-provide-clean-water-to-rural-communities/" target="_blank">smart water system</a> that will reduce the water demand of buildings by 30 percent.