Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research at Masdar – Master Plan

The master plan for the Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR) in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, lays the foundation for a transformative 80-hectare academic environment embedded within one of the world’s most ambitious sustainable urban developments. Developed by Sasaki, the project was completed in June 2010 and earned a Merit Award from the Boston Society of Architects and the Society for College and University Planning for excellence in campus planning and design.

Commissioned by Khalifa University, the plan is designed to accommodate 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s goal of fostering a post-oil economy through education and innovation. The project’s primary planning and urban design services were structured around a bold vision to integrate academic and social life into a dynamic and modern urban community. Rejecting the authoritarian models of traditional education in the region, the plan champions a coeducational, entrepreneurial approach that emphasizes collaboration, problem-solving, and research excellence in fields such as engineering and biomedical sciences.

KUSTAR is deeply integrated into the fabric of Masdar City, a global benchmark for sustainable urbanism. The campus connects a series of student and faculty neighborhoods to the academic core and the city’s greater urban infrastructure, creating a seamless network of learning, living, and innovation. The plan also draws inspiration from the Arabic and Islamic legacy in science and culture, embedding those influences into its spatial and ecological systems.

Sustainability is not treated as an add-on but as a central design principle. The campus addresses infrastructure holistically, waste, water, energy, mobility, and biodiversity are all designed in accordance with Masdar’s low-carbon, high-performance urban strategy. The result is a vibrant, resilient, and future-forward environment that positions Khalifa University as a regional leader in sustainable higher education and research.