Domed city: Is it just science fiction or truly something to our future?

In 2014, Dubai has announced plans to build the first climate-controlled city on the planet. The area, constructed under a huge glass dome, will contain the world's largest shopping center, over 100 hotels, and a wellness district for medical tourists.

What is a 'Domed city'? It is a structure that encloses a large urban area under a single roof. Under normal concept, the dome is airtight and pressurized, creating a habitat that can be controlled for air temperature, composition and quality, typically due to an external atmosphere that is inimical to habitation. Domed cities have been a fixture of science fiction since the early 20th century, and may be situated on Earth, a moon or other planet.

With the announcment of the first domed city ever from Dubai, it is no longer a mystrious idea only occurs in the sci-fi novels, but becoming a reality. And the construction of the domed city in Dubai might just be the best opportunity for us to learn about this amazing invention.
The city of Dubai is a popular tourist spot,however many are deterred from visiting due to the city's scorching heat and dry environment, the temperature normally reaches 45℃ in the summer.
UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed confirmed plans for the world's first temperature-controlled city, named 'Mall of the World', in early July 2014. The city will be made “to enhance Dubai's tourist infrastructure as soon as possible,” he said. 

So what will people living in the dome city actually feel?
To control its climate, the area will be covered by a single glass dome, which will be open during the winter months. According to Dubai Holding, the Sheikh's property arm, "tourists will be able to enjoy a week-long stay without the need to leave the City or use a car. The 7 km long promenades connecting all facilities will be covered during the summer and open during the winter, ensuring pleasant temperatures throughout the year".
Inside the domed city will be a world’s largest mall and indoor park, as well as a theater area and wellness resorts. It will have the capacity to host over 180 million visitors annually.
The shopping area will be connected to 100 hotels and serviced apartment buildings, with a temperature-controlled covered street network between them.

While all these features sound fancy and exciting, the reality is, it is not yet clear when the construction of the project will start, but the chief executive said that the structure will need about 2.5 billion dirhams (over US$680 million) “every year for the next 10 years". With all the uncertainty underlying, one thing is certain that building such a domed city requires constructors to overcome technical and financial difficulties.