With the UAE becoming the new home to IRENA, now is an ideal time to examine the country's environmental credentials in more detail, with one project in particular coming under the spotlight, namely, Masdar City. Proposed to be the world's first zero carbon city, Eric Payne's article will look at the technology underlying the project, the new innovations that might develop and the potential future the city might usher in.

Long used for occupational training in the form of flight simulators, virtual reality could now become useful in the construction industry. New computer-supported learning environments such as VIRTOOL utilise interactive 3D graphics and virtual reality techniques to provide valuable experience to trainees. Amanda Carey outlines the practical benefits of using virtual applications and simulation solutions in the construction sector.

Self-healing concrete, polymers and fibre-reinforced polymers hold the potential to enable structures to become self-healing, with possible applications in infrastructure, marine and building construction. Linked to this, auto-adaptive media systems could become a great use in the future, with the potential to improve structural safety, serviceability and structural life. Sarah Pursey examines the possibilities.