Sustainable Futures

Welcome to The Sustainable City, a trailblazing development completed in 2016 that has set a new standard for sustainable living. The brainchild of Saeed, SEE’s sustainable-city concept has become a working model for future cities and has since expanded to Yas Island and Sharjah in the UAE, as well as Yiti, Oman. Designed to accommodate 10,000 people, The Sustainable City Yiti is slated for completion in 2026 and committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2040. These big plans include creating residential communities comprised of high-end villas, car-free zones to encourage walking and biking, a school and nursery, retail space, two hotels, an equestrian club and a cutting-edge center for children with autism. In Saeed’s vision of tomorrow, green spaces are the priority and produce comes from urban farms and bio-dome greenhouses. Saeed’s home concepts are incredibly energy-efficient, powered by renewable energy sources and equipped with water-recycling systems.

Ironically, it was the 2008 global financial crisis that sparked the idea of an eco-friendly city. “I wanted a sustainable model…that’s immune against any financial crisis,” says Jordan-born Saeed, who trained in civil engineering. “We started with the social part—human-centric development, we call it… [Humans] love to be eco-friendly but they don’t want to pay a premium for that.” To that end, Saeed promised during pre-construction that they’d collect “zero service fees,” a tactic that attracted buyers in droves.

When planning for new developments, Saeed turns to figures from SEE Institute—a hub for sustainability education, research and business incubation housed within Dubai’s Sustainable City (Saeed is founder and chairman of the Institute). “We always think of what’s coming tomorrow,” he says. “Our Institute is the most sustainable building in the world,” he notes, pointing to the fact that SEE’s modus operandi includes a net-zero emission strategy and the capacity to produce 300 percent of its energy requirements. “We call it a living lab because we’ve opened the doors for everyone to come in and learn.”

To motivate a new generation of leaders in sustainability, SEE Institute supports innovative start-ups in the field and offers professional education programs for students from around the world; the center recently partnered with Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario, to promote student exchanges and share teaching resources, among other plans. Saeed’s mission is global. Rather than fear competition, he’s eager to teach others how to build sustainable cities so that the impact can be felt worldwide. One of SEE Institute’s innovative offerings is Immersee, a cutting-edge immersive exhibit launched in 2024. Using multimedia installations and performances, it creates dynamic experiences designed to inspire people to embrace a sustainable lifestyle.

Saeed is also paving the way for the movement towards inclusion. For The Sustainable City in Dubai, Saeed envisioned Sanad Village—the region’s largest center dedicated to understanding autism and related conditions. It includes a research and development arm, as well as a range of amenities—such as a stimulation mall—designed to help children and adults prepare for interaction within the wider community. Its school can accommodate 600 students, including support for one-on-one therapies. “These kids are teaching the community something that transforms them as human beings,” Saeed says, adding that there’s a high volunteer rate from members of the development.

As for the motivation behind his grand visions and high ambition, Saeed is focused on the future. “Just think about your [children and grandchildren],” he says. “It’s our responsibility to start fixing this world for them. Otherwise, everything we do has no value.”