Arabian Business

Feasibility studies underway in Abu Dhabi predict that a new light rail tram network could be operational by 2014.

Plans for a 4.6 km tramway have been announced for downtown Burj Dubai -- a $136 million transit system intended to link major developments in the rapidly rising emirate.

Development is booming in Dubai -- so much so that its pace is causing concerns about carbon emissions. In response, numerous green efforts have been launched to bring sustainability into the planning and design process.

With an environmentally-conscious plan and ambitions to lure some of the world's most well-respected institutions, the emirate of Abu Dhabi is on a forward-thinking path and should be watched more closely than its extravagant counterpart, Dubai.

Recognized as one of the world's most influential female Arabs, architect Zena Malek has emerged as the most outspoken critic of how cities are being built in the Arab world.