The first phase of the project involves the construction of the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, which has been planned as the world's first graduate university dedicated to renewable energy.

Completion is scheduled for the end of 2009, with 100 students and 50 faculty staff due to be based there at first. This figure will increase to 1,000 students within seven years.

France's Soletanche Bachy is working on the foundations package. US-based Parsons Brinckerhoff is the project manager (MEED 6:2:08).

Designed by Foster and Partners, the 6.5 square-kilometre Masdar City is set to be completed by 2016, in conjunction with Abu Dhabi's 2030 Development Plan. It will eventually grow to accommodate 1,500 businesses and 50,000 residents.