Las Vegas, the city of lights, finally seems to have grown environmentally conscious (at least in one concentrated area) with the urban resort destination CityCenter.

The seven-building luxury development, CityCenter is a joint venture between MGM Mirage and Dubai World, which is slated to open in stages from December 2009 to 2010.

Described as “one of the world’s largest sustainable developments,” “a city within a city” and “a Strip within the Strip,” the water-and-energy-conserving playground is located between the Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts, across 67 sprawling acres.

Ever aspect of the new development will be ‘green’ from design and construction to operations and guest amenities.

The latest details of this ‘green’ policy have been revealed this week with a range of environmentally friendly initiatives including slot machines fitted with air conditioning units and the strip's first on site energy-generation through an 8.5megawatt natural-gas co-generation plant - allowing the resort to help guests 'green their stay'.

CityCenter also claims a world first with a fleet of stretch limos powered by clean-burning compressed natural gas.
The development will also lead on water conservation with innovative new technology which will be able to save between 32% and 39% within the buildings and 60% of water used in outdoor landscaping.

During the ongoing construction, more than 230,000 tons of construction waste has been recycled, including 80% of the Boardwalk Hotel - which was knocked down to make way for the resort.

The scheme will also comply to the LEED environmental scheme run by the USA's Green Buildings Council, with 10,000 construction trade and craftsmen introduced to more sustainable working practices from the work.

MGM Mirage chairman and CEO , Jim Murren, said: "CityCenter captures the energy and diversity of Las Vegas in one of the world's largest green urban developments."

"Designing CityCenter with sustainable elements and practices reinforces its permanence and creates a healthier environment for our guests and residents, as well as for the 12,000 people who ultimately will work at CityCenter."

Developers claim that CityCenter’s sustainable initiatives will save the energy necessary to power 7,700 households yearly.