The city will consist of several domes, with innovative construction techniques providing support for the structures. A team of Emirati scientists, engineers and designers, led by a team from the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and Dubai Municipality, will carry out the project, in cooperation with internationally renowned architects Bjarke Ingels.
Known for his idea that a building should be built to fit in its environment, Ingles’ plan is for four geodesic domes that include space for a team to live and work there for up to a year.
The simulation city will not be short on technology and some really cool innovations. Scientists will be working in laboratories dedicated to investigating self-sufficiency in energy, food, and water for living on Mars.
A museum dedicated to humanity’s great space achievements will also be incorporated within the walls of the city. It should be noted the walls of the museum will be 3D printed using sand from the nearby Emirati desert.
Dubai’s prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid announced the project earlier this week at the annual meetings of the United Arab Emirates government in Abu Dhabi. “The UAE seeks to establish international efforts to develop technologies that benefit humankind, and that establish the foundation of a better future for more generations to come,” he said.
“We also want to consolidate the passion for leadership in science in the UAE, contributing to improving life on earth and to developing innovative solutions to many of our global challenges. The new project is another step in the UAE’s leading contributions to the global science movement; we seek to set an example and motivation for others to participate and contribute, to humanity’s march into space.”
The Mars Science City project is part the UAE’s Mars 2117 Strategy, launched during the fifth World Government Summit, which seeks to build the first settlement on Mars in the next 100 years. It is hoped that the wide range of experiments to be conducted will lead to innovations that will provide self-sustainability in energy, water, and food.
