Learning from Cities— The 2nd Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation
080
Subsidies provided by the Abu Dhabi Government for the Public Affairs Agriculture Government/School Business/Industry Residence (Non-citizens of United Arab Emirates) Residence (Citizens of United Arab Emirates) Residence (Remote Region) Water
Electricity
0 20 4060 80 100 Subsidy（%）
faces many challenges going forward,
to businesses, resulted in the UAE
most prominently natural and resource
having one of the largest carbon
constraints.
footprints internationally.
The first challenge facing Abu
The second challenge is the huge
Dhabi constitutes a harsh climate and
government operational costs induced
water scarcity. Abu Dhabi Emirate
by the government’s massive subsidies
is located in a desert environment
for public utilities. In recent years,
and experiences a climate that is
the number of government funded
extremely hot, and simultaneously
projects, which include housing
humid and arid, for much of the year.
for citizens, represents 72% of all
Temperatures range from 10-48 degrees
new development. The total cost to
Celsius, summer humidity levels are
government for these projects includes
near 100% and average rainfall is less
capital and a significant proportion
than 100mm/year. Water scarcity is
of operational expenditure as a result
severe – virtually all potable water is
of the substantial subsidies. Statistics
desalinated from the Arabian Gulf –
show that the electricity subsidy in
and the challenge of providing human
residential buildings ranges from 55%
comfort, both within buildings and
to 99% and the water subsidy ranges
for pedestrians, is extensive. Lack of
from 79% to 100%. In this connection,
resource management, from individuals
reducing energy consumption and