ABSTRACT
Technological innovations such as app-based mobility, driverless cars, collaborative mobility models, and the shifting of activities in cyberspace have facilitated the creation of a 'hypermobile' society. Collaborative consumption, made possible by connectivity between consumers, is on the rise. Self-driving vehicles have been widely anticipated and their commercial introduction is becoming a reality. Another innovation in vehicle technology has been in the area of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications that can potentially avoid road hazards and accidents. A third global mega-trend is increased use of virtual spaces. The residential buildings at the Masdar Institute portray traditional alignment with their wavy façades, which shield the interior from direct sunlight and prevent inhabitants from seeing into the windows of buildings across the street. In Masdar, the initial design banned automobiles and provided mass transit through personal rapid transit (PRT) systems. Abu Dhabi's existing light rail and metro lines will connect Masdar's center with the greater metropolitan area.
