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Azerbaijan sets up carbon neutral paradise island -PHOTOSESSION

Azerbaijan sets up carbon neutral paradise island -<font color=red>PHOTOSESSION</font>

02 February 2009 15:32 (UTC +04:00)

The main highlight of this master plan was to make the Zira Island completely independent of external resources, achieved through the mix of traditional Azerbaijani building tradition and new technologies.
Zira Island is a 1,000,000 sq meter island on the Caspian Sea that will soon be developed into an incredible eco-community and sustainable built resort. The carbon-neutral eco-island, a ferry ride away from a growing metropolis, is based on the seven peaks of Azerbaijan and its mountainous ecosystems. The place will stand as an example to a region so dependent on oil, that it is possible to live off the wind and sun.
BIG Architectsâ€™ Zira Island will feature seven major structures modeled after the peaks of Azerbaijan that are connected by trails, greenbelts and the coastline. The Seven Peaks will each house a residential development and public space, and there will also be 300 private villas near a golf course in the central valley. Ziraâ€™s new skyline of organic buildings will resemble a mountain range that merges with the natural topography of the island.
Many carbon neutral communities are currently being developed around the world, like Masdar (UAE), Rioja (Spain), Samso (Denmark) and Dongtan (Shanghai). All promise a new way of life completely independent of carbon-based fuels. Zira Island is less of a city and more or a resort, but it still holds the same promises of sustainability and will use the sun, wind and water to heat and power the island.
Heat pumps, which plunge into the surrounding Caspian Sea, will heat and cool the buildings on the island, and Solar Hot Water Collectors are integrated into the architecture to provide hot water. Photovoltaics on strategically angled facades and roof tops will generate electricity, and an off-shore wind farm will be constructed in the Caspian Sea, utilizing the existing oil platforms and foundations for the new and more sustainable power supply.
Potable water will be provided via a desalination plant, while waste and stormwater will be collected in a wastewater treatment plant and recycled for irrigation. The solid waste will be composted and reused as fertilizer for the island. Many trees and lots of lush vegetation will be planted to create a tropical environment, although no information is provided forfor how the island will deal with their trash or whether or not they will grow any of their own food.

Wind - Zira Zero Island benefits from the fact that Baku is â€œthe city of windâ€. By harvesting the wind energy through an offshore wind farm, the island will have its own CO2-neutral power supply. Further by locating the wind turbines on sea, it transforms the existing offshore oil industryâ€™s platforms & foundations in Baku into a more sustainable future of wind turbine platforms.

Landscape - The landscaping of the island is derived from wind simulations of the microclimates created by the mountains. Swirly patterns created by the wind moving its way through the Seven Peaks inform the planting of trees and the design of public spaces. Where the winds and turbulence are strongest the trees becomes denser, creating lower wind speeds and thus a comfortable outdoor leisure climate.
Water - Waste water and storm water is collected and led to a waste water treatment plant, where it is then cleaned, processed and recycled for irrigation. The solid parts of the waste water are processed and composted and finally turned into top soil, fertilizing the island. The constant irrigation and fertilizing of the island supports the lush green condition of a tropical island, with a minimal ecological footprint.
Sun -The buildings of the island are heated and cooled by heat pumps connecting to the surrounding Caspian Sea. Solar heat panels integrated in the architecture create a steady supply of hot water, while photovoltaics on strategically located facades and roof tops power daytime functions as swimming pools and aqua parks.