A Sustainable City in the Desert

With a few clicks of a keyboard, a city begins to take shape amidst the Kuwait desert—a utopia of walkable streets, shade structures, and energy-efficient housing centered around a bustling business district that shines like a jewel in the night.

The city is South Sabah Al Ahmad. It will be home to 280,000 people across 24 square miles. While construction is underway, the vision for South Sabah Al Ahmad is fully realized thanks to an advanced design tool that enabled architects to intelligently plan an urban development that emphasizes sustainability.

The masterplan, part of Kuwait's Vision 2035, focuses on efficient transportation, with shaded routes for walking and cycling so residents can easily access amenities within their neighborhoods, reducing the reliance on cars.

To achieve this, urban designers Bruno Moser and Mateo Neira of Foster + Partners used ArcGIS CityEngine, an advanced 3D modeling tool, to conduct a connectivity analysis, which informed the placement of different land uses. High-connectivity areas were designated for the central business district, while educational, healthcare, and community facilities were strategically located to maximize accessibility and efficiency.

A bird’s-eye view of the city reveals a geometric pattern of streets—main streets providing regional connections, secondary streets linking neighborhoods, and local streets connecting to each building. The result is a city of short distances and less paved infrastructure, allowing more open spaces where people can connect and play.

Open spaces play a critical role in the masterplan, designed to improve air quality, reduce the urban heat island effect, and encourage social interactions. The goal is to ensure that every resident is within a 400-meter walking distance of a green space, creating a network of parks and public spaces that promote well-being and community engagement.

The iterative design process, involving collaboration among various design professionals, ensures that the city is resilient to the challenges posed by the local climate, such as high temperatures, sandstorms, and potential flash floods. Buildings are designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating shading structures and climate-responsive features to enhance livability.

Ultimately, Foster + Partners’ approach to urban design goes beyond aesthetics and functionality. It is about creating cities that are adaptable, resilient, and, most importantly, centered on the needs of the people who will live in them.

The South Sabah Al-Ahmad Masterplan represents a new paradigm in urban development that prioritizes sustainability, connectivity, and human well-being. Watch the video below to learn more about how Foster + Partners leveraged the latest in GIS software to build a sustainable city in the desert.

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