1. WORLD CITY CENTER
GLOBAL GOALS
World City Center is a Smart City initiative developing an inclusive, sustainable
city that will include:
 safe environment;
 clean energy and clean water;
 sustainable public transport systems; no car zone
 reducing the environmental impact by implementing renewable energy
Yes we are embarking on something that has never been done before, and there’s
always something to be said for being ‘the first’. We are setting a new standard for
future cities and smart city initiatives which will create positive change and can
potentially benefit most of the world’s urban population. For example, just
consider some fundamental facts and figures about the importance of cities today.
 According to research from the London School of Economics (PDF), cities
currently make up 2 percent of the world’s surface area — but produce 70
percent of the global economic output.
 Other sources suggest that cities and urban areas will account for most of the
world’s net population growth over the next two decades, with 1.4 million
people being added to urban areas each week. This is the equivalent to the
population of cities such as Leeds in the U.K. or San Diego in the U.S.
 To put this another way, almost half of the world’s population currently lives
in cities, and by 2050 that is projected to increase to over 70 percent.
Given this data, it is not surprising that sustainable urban development is of
critical importance to the future of the planet. According to The Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (PDF), cities account for around 70 percent of global
greenhouse gas emissions and 70 percent of global energy consumption.

2. Other research suggests that in OECD (PDF) countries alone, the existing
environment that is built today is responsible for:
 30 percent of raw material use;
 between 25 and 40 percent of total energy use;
 30-40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions; and
 30-40 percent of solid waste generation.
As such, positive action on the current urban environment is of paramount concern.
We already know that properly planned building developments and urbanization
can improve land use, reduce resource consumption, decrease congestion and
improve productivity, all of which has a beneficial impact on people, communities,
local and national economies. In addition, healthy and sustainable buildings can
contribute significantly to social well-being. Efforts towards regeneration of cities
can break down exclusions and restore community spirit.
However, this is not simply a task but a complex process where we will need the
help of urban planners, architects, developers, engineers and government
engagement to name a few. Businesses across a wide array of sectors will
contribute to a collective effort to make this project a success. It is in our shared
interest that all of us, as individuals, businesses, opinion formers and citizens do
our part to contribute to the creation of more sustainable cities.
Around the world there are innovative ideas providing a glimpse of what can be
achieved. Some futuristic examples, such as Songdo, South Korea and Masdar in
Abu Dhabi, are already being built and developed. The low-carbon development
of Masdar City is designed to reduce environmental impacts and includes a 10-
megawatt solar photovoltaic plant together with an array of building-mounted solar
panels to provide for as much of the electricity use as possible.
The movement towards sustainable cities can draw also inspiration from more
well-established examples. The city of Curitiba (PDF) in Brazil long has been a
reference point for sustainability. It opened the world’s first bus rapid transit
system, which encouraged a huge shift from car travel to public transport.
Compared to eight other Brazilian cities of its size, Curitiba uses about 30 percent
less fuel per person, resulting in one of the country’s lowest rates of ambient air

3. pollution. In another initiative, the favelas on the outskirts of the city are kept clean
by encouraging people to bring their rubbish to collection points where city
authorities exchange sacks of food or bus tickets for waste.
It’s clear that a key trend in sustainable cities will be the massive rise in
technology of the future. Everything in a city, from the electricity grid to the sewer
pipes to roads, buildings and vehicles, will be connected to the network.
With this said, World City Center will control small-scale energy generation and
management systems, powered by renewable sources; A self-driving transit
system, bicycles and a walkable city design will allow people to get from place to
place without the need for cars. Connectivity will encourage a sharing economy
with the exchange of skills, ideas, and social interaction.
The challenge of smart city initiative is not simply about developing new
technological solutions to long-standing problems. Rather, success in this sphere
will be achieved only by balancing the demands of social and economic
development with careful environmental management and innovative urban
governance.
The World City Center will be a hub for Innovation, testing and evaluation; its $2
billion city vision is an environment where new products, services and
technologies can be demonstrated and tested without disrupting everyday life.
Homes and offices will be designed with robotic and holographic features with the
capacity to withstand natural disasters with alternative energy sources.
Other “future cities” currently exist, but we believe that our design will be unique
because we will be the first ‘World Technology Business Resort Destination’
inviting cultures from all over the world the opportunity to thrive in the U.S.,
giving a new meaning to “Made In America.”