First turf cut for the eco-city of Caofeidian New City in China
Last week, the first turf was cut for the Caofeidian International Eco City, a cooperation project between Sweden and China in the field of green technology. Some SEK 250 billion is being invested in the city of Tangshan, 220 km east of Beijing, to create an ecological city within the city.
Confetti showered down when Tony Clark from Swedens Embassy in Beijing, Party Secretary Zhao Yong and Ulf Ranhagen, Chief Architect at Sweco Architects cut the first turf in the eco-city of Caofeidian in China. Photo: Mr Li Yang
The project aims at reducing emissions of greenhouse and other gases by means of integrated solutions for energy, water and waste when planning and constructing buildings and transport.
Swedish companies at the forefront
The work on integrated physical planning in China paves the way for effective green technology in several fields in which Swedish green technology companies are at the forefront. Swedish companies with cutting-edge skills in green technology can capture business opportunities in China through, for example, the Governments special coordinator for environmental technology exports to China, Mats Denninger. This work is conducted in close cooperation with Swedens Embassy in Beijing and its environmental technology centre, Centec.
An eco-city the size of Göteborg
Over time, the eco-city will equal Göteborg in terms of the number of inhabitants. Between 500 000 and 800 000 people will live here in environmentally sustainable surroundings with energy-efficient housing and smart energy solutions. The new city will be 150 square kilometres in size. The first stage, consisting of about six square kilometres of housing, workplaces, universities and cultural and recreation facilities is expected to be complete in 2012.
Several Swedish companies are involved. A technology consultant company is working on planning the city conceptually and in detail, and its work has included producing produced sustainability indicators. Up to now, this assignment has engaged some 40 architects and physical planners in Sweden.
