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It has often been said that the course of history is dictated by geography. That would explain why the planet Earth has survived and thrived; this miraculous, delicate, life giving speck is perfectly placed in relation to the sun, not too near, not too far, and protected from the onslaught of asteroids and meteorites by giant, hulking bodyguards like Neptune and Jupiter.
It would also explain why the world's great cities have sprung up and grown where they have; their adjacency to calm waters allowed ships to dock and trade, and the land around was temperate enough to allow them to build and grow.
And it would explain why some nations have been less exposed to outside influence than others, whether through culture, religion or invasion; their borders and homelands have simply been too inhospitable to allow infiltration.
Of course, geography also dictates sustainability; a house in a sheltered valley is more likely to last than a house on a windy cliff. And sustainability and cultural preservation are also inseparable. An adverse force that disrupts the natural environment will also encroach on the local cultures and traditions that sustain and give meaning to life.
These are all considerations which we have borne in mind in our approach to building sustainability.
Studying and understanding the traditional buildings and landscapes of Al Ain has given us great insights, and the inspiration to use the same materials and low-tech systems that were successful when energy consumption was much more limited.
The mandate to make the Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort (AWPR) sustainable should not result in a loss in the quality of life. On the contrary, it should help foster a change in mindset and values, and enable us to practice our culture. This project is teaching us to treat nature as a model and mentor, not an inconvenience.
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