Madinat Hadaek Shahat, or Shahat Garden City, is a 1500 hectare masterplan for a new, pioneering, carbon neutral town at the heart of Libya's Jabal al Akhdar region - the Green Mountain.

The site is just 7km south of the ruined, ancient city of Cyrene - a World Heritage Site - and tackles the existing urban situation that has grown up on its doorstep. Closely following the criteria of the Cyrene Declaration, Madinat Hadaek Shahat starts from a deeper understanding of what is already there, including important archaeology, unique biodiversity, fragile agriculture, complex topography, modern infrastructure and diversifying economy.

Constrained by these special qualities, the masterplan creates a design for low carbon living through walk-able neighbourhoods, shaded streets, natural cooling and low energy buildings, wind farms and solar power fields and a better urban environment.

The scheme aimed to set new standards for building design and public space in Libya without compromising on privacy and cultural imperatives. Cullinans collaborated with local practices, Libyan Engineering Office (LEO) and Al Mada Consultant Engineers in Libya.