Sino-Danish co-operation in the field of sustainable urban development in China PROGRAM to the participants UiD / Henrik Valeur, Lea Bolvig, Haydar

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2 Sino-Danish co-operation in the field of sustainable urban development in China PROGRAM to the participants UiD / Henrik Valeur, Lea Bolvig, Haydar Al-Khatib and Christoffer Pilgaard

3 This document describes the project for the Danish, or a joint Sino-Danish, contribution to the Architecture Biennale of Venice and the Architecture Biennale of Beijing, both in September The project is concerned with sustainable urban development in China and it involves collaboration between four of the most talented groups of young Danish architects and four highly acclaimed Chinese universities together with world renowned engineering consultants. Sustainable urban development in China is a global challenge and international and interdisciplinary collaboration is considered essential in dealing with this challenge. introduction

4 challenge China is currently undergoing a process of urbanization (and modernization) at an unprecedented scale and speed. The attempt of the Central Chinese government to radically improve the living conditions of its entire population of 1.3 billion people is unparalleled in the history of human civilization. However, these changes do not come without a price. The downside to the process of modernization (and urbanization) is increasing pollution and exhaustion of resources. In fact, China already produces 16 percent of the world s carbon-dioxide emissions and is set to overtake the United States as the world s biggest producer of CO2 within 30 years [and] if each person in China used as much energy as an average American, they would swallow up the world s entire current supply of petroleum. * Not only are the issues of pollution and resource exhaustion global issues, but the rapid and extensive process of urbanization (within the next 20 years, some 400 million Chinese people are expected to move to the cities*) also makes China the obvious site for developing and implementing new models of urban planning and new and more sustainable solutions of urban development. How can China proceed with its ambitious project of improving the living conditions of its population without exhausting the very resources needed to sustain a better life? There is no simple or single answer to this challenge. *Newsweek, International Edition, Sept Oct. 3, 2005

5 news Resources top concern in urbanization drive Xinhua Updated: China has to be resource-efficient and environment-friendly in its urbanization process, a city planning expert with Ministry of Construction has said. We have to change our traditional mode of economic growth and urban development, boost recycling-based economy and protect our ecological environment in order to build resource-saving and environment-friendly cities, said the ministry s chief planner Chen Xiaoli on Wednesday. China s ongoing urbanization process, which will last for many years to come, will divert large flocks of rural dwellers to cities and bring drastic changes to its social structure, given its huge population base, said Chen. In a country with 1.3 billion people, every 10-percent rise in urbanization rate moves 130 million people from the countryside to cities -- about the entire population of Japan, she said. If China s urbanization drive advances by 20 percent, the number of migrants is close to the population of the United States. If China could find a sound and efficient way of urban development under such circumstances, it will make important contribution to the entire humanity by boosting the sustainable development of the global economy, Chen said at an international conference on sustainable urban development that opened Wednesday in Nanning, south China s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. China s urbanization rate rocketed to 41.8 percent in 2004 from17.9 percent in 1978, the year it started to reform and open up to the outside world. In the meantime, the country s urban population rose from 170 million to 540 million and the number of cities increased from 193 to

6 news UN forum stresses sustainable planning Qiu Quanlin NANNING, Guangxi: A scientific development plan is the key to sustainable urban expansion and management, officials said yesterday. Chen Xiaoli, an official with the Ministry of Construction, made the remarks at the International Conference on Sustainable Urban Development, which opened yesterday in Nanning, capital of South China s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The three-day event, organized jointly by the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) and China s Ministry of Construction, has attracted 355 delegates from domestic and overseas research institutions and government departments engaged in urban development. Chen said he believes clear planning is vital for sustainable development. For a city to achieve balanced and sustainable development, it is a must to clearly identify the nature, size, targets and structure of development through scientific predictions and planning before efforts are made to realize all the objectives, he said. However, Chen said, Chinese cities are suffering from water and energy shortages, pollution, population expansion and insufficient infrastructure. Economic growth, social progress and urban performance in terms of ecological environment, city image and culture must be taken into consideration for sustainable urban development, said Chen. Executive Director of UN-HABITAT Anna Tibaijuka said yesterday that adequate shelters for all has become the most important objective of sustainable urban development. 6

7 news Huang Ju calls for new models for Asia-Pacific cities Xinhuanet Updated: Chinese Vice Premier Huang Ju on Wednesday called for Asia-Pacific cities to adopt new models of urban development in a bid to achieve harmony between people and nature. In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the fifth Asia-Pacific Cities Summit, Huang said that the challenges and opportunities of the new century should prompt all countries and cities to adopt strategies that promote comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development. Huang said the Asia-Pacific cities should understand and respect diverse cultures and development models and learn from each other s urban development experience. Huang said the cities should intensify efforts that reflect the need for environmental protection in every aspect of urban planning, construction and management so as to create a sound environment for city dwellers. He also called for attention to social security, public health and food safety and the elimination of urban poverty. The vice premier briefed the meeting on Chinese achievements in urban construction and development. He stressed that Chinese cities should stick to the path of gaining strength through economic and social development, making further development via reform and opening-up and should adhere to an urbanization approach with Chinese characteristics. Besides, Chinese cities should pursue scientific innovation and sustainable development, said Huang. 7

8 statistics Land use China Denmark Urbanized land Arable land Forest Other Source: 8

9 statistics Population growth Urban population in percentage Denmark China Denmark calculated per 1000 inhabitants Source: World Bank WDI CD-ROM China Source: Statistics Denmark and China Statistical Yearbook IIASA (The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis) 9

10 statistics Development in Chinas GNP per inhabitant 1200 Development in GNP per inhabitant GNP distributed among sectors Denmark % 40 US$ Shanghai 10 China Denmark 1980 Denmark 2003 China 1980 China 2003 Source: World Bank WDI CD-ROM 2005 US$ Source: World Bank WDI CD-ROM

11 statistics Consumption of petroleum 1200 Proven petroleum reserves in total If the current oil consumption continues The influence of Chinese growth on oil consumption 1000 China s oil comsumption Billion barrels 8 6 Billion barrels 600 Petroleum reserves and the world s annual consumption reserves consumption in Source:

12 statistics Annual energy consumption per inhabitant CO2 - release per inhabitant equivalents oil kg Denmark China Denmark China Denmark China Denmark China Source: World Bank WDI CD-ROM 2005 Source: World Bank WDI CD-ROM

13 statistics Annual amount of waste per inhabitant 2, Total amount of waste in tons Mio , Tons 0 Denmark China 1 recycled 0,5 0 Denmark recycled China Source:

14 objectives The main objective of this project is to promote international and interdisciplinary collaboration within the field of urban planning. And to facilitate the exchange of ideas, knowledge and experiences, especially within the field of sustainable urban development. Collaborative work on projects, that are realistic but not concrete assignments, should give the participants the opportunity to evolve both their creative potentials and professional skills. In addition, the project should help establish long-term relationships between the project partners. All of this to the benefit of the profession of architecture in general, and more specifically to the benefit of each of the individual participants. 14

15 task The task of this project is to develop sustainable solutions for urban development on four sites located in four major Chinese cities. The four projects - one for each city - will be developed by four teams of professional young Danish architects in collaboration with post-graduate and Ph.D. students of urban planning and urban design at universities in the four Chinese cities. Consultancy will be provided by Arup engineering company. The solutions should include environmental improvements in the broadest sense and more efficient resource management in terms of reducing, recycling and reproducing resources of land, water, energy and material. Some of the issues which the projects may confront, are: 1. What to do with rural areas and villages being absorbed by urban development? 2. How to preserve historic sites and values in the process of modernization? 3. How to manage increased mobility and transportation? 4. How to improve private and public environments? 5. How to reduce the resource consumption related to the building industry and to the use and maintenance of buildings and other built structures? 15

16 method The project is divided into three phases, allowing the project partners to meet both in China and in Denmark, and to participate in workshops together in China. To initiate the process all project partners are to meet in Shanghai, where they will be presented with the project and to each other. 1. The research phase will be initiated in the individual Chinese cities, where the teams of Danish architects will meet with the Chinese universities to decide on the site, program and the issues to be researched. The research will then be carried out both in China and in Denmark and the results will be presented at a meeting in Copenhagen with all of the project partners. 2. The concept phase will be initiated at the meeting in Copenhagen. During this phase the participants will develop the conceptual framework for their individual projects, based on the research. The concept development will be carried out both in China and in Denmark and will be presented at a meeting in Beijing with all of the project partners. The concepts will be developed into actual project proposals through workshops, of a minimum of ten days, to be held at the Chinese universities. 3. The production phase will be initiated during the workshops in China and will be carried out both in China and in Denmark. The final products will then be presented at a meeting in Copenhagen and subsequently exhibited and published. 16

17 process The curator is providing the conceptual framework and the process manual for the overall project. The four project groups of Chinese universities and Danish architects are to decide on the specific sites and programs for their individual projects. And they are to carry out these projects through the three phases of research, concept / project development and production. The curator will facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience between the four groups and ensure the quality of the four projects through regular meetings and continuous contact with all of the project groups. The curator is responsible for the overall lay-out of the exhibitions and will provide a vision for this. The curator will also produce an introductory project for the exhibitions, putting the four projects into an overall conceptual context. The individual project groups are responsible for producing the exhibition material of and for their own projects. The lay-out of this will be developed in dialogue between the curator and the individual groups. 17

18 timeline 9 January 2006 Hand out of program PREPARATION February February - 5 March 2006 Meeting in Shanghai Individual meetings in the Chinese cities RESEARCH 3-9 April 2006 Meetings in Denmark CONCEPT 29 May - 7 June 2006 Workshops in Chinese cities 8-10 June 2006 Meeting in Beijing 18

19 timeline 1 July August September September 2006 Handing in of catalogue material and text for proof reading PRODUCTION Handing in of exhibition material Opening of the Architecture Biennale of Venice Opening of the Architecture Biennale of Beijing EXHIBITIONS 19

20 time schedule Preparation phase, January - February 2006 Tue Final program to all the project partners and participants. Tue Fri Initial research and preparation in China and in Denmark Requirements concerning site and program by the curator (UiD). Proposal of and information about possible site and program by the Chinese universities. Discussions of site and program with the teams of Danish architects and the curator. Initial research on issues relevant to the program and the theme of sustainable urban development by the Chinese universities and the teams of Danish architects. Exchange of research and viewpoints on the theme. Meetings between the commissioner (DAC), the curator and the Danish architects in Copenhagen. Practical preparations. Meeting in Shanghai, February 2006 Thu Fri Departure to Shanghai All the project partners travel to Shanghai. -3 representatives from each of the four teams of Danish architects representatives from each of the four Chinese universities Representatives of the engineering, consulting and manufacturing companies independent critique representative of ABB2006 (the Architecture Biennale of Beijing) representatives of DAC (the Danish Architecture Center) representatives of UiD Sat Meeting in Shanghai, Tongji University All the project partners meet in Shanghai. 20

21 time schedule Presentation of the project partners and meeting program by Henrik Valeur, Director of UiD. Welcome by Prof. Pan Haixiao, Tongji University. Presentation of DAC, the Architecture Biennale of Venice and the Danish expectations to the project by Peter Norn, Project Director of DAC. Presentation of ABB2006 and their expectations to the project by Luo Li, Executive Secretary of ABB2006. Presentation of Arup by Peter Head, Director of Arup. Presentation of the project and the curators expectations by Henrik Valeur. General debate on the project. Lunch Presentations of the four teams of Danish architects and their expectations to the project. Presentations of the four Chinese universities and their expectations to the project, their cities and pre-selected sites and programs. Dinner Sun Meeting in Shanghai, Tongji University Questions and comments to the project. Sightseeing in Shanghai Dinner Meetings in the four Chinese cities, February - March 2006 Mon Departure to the individual Chinese cities Each team of Danish architects travel with their Chinese university partner to their respective city. During this stay they: a) meet the students of the Chinese university b) visit the city and the pre-selected site(s) c) meet the local Planning Bureau d) make decisions about the site, program and issues to research e) initiate the research phase 21

22 time schedule Sun Wed Departure to Denmark The curator meets with the Danish architects before they leave China. Research phase, March - April 2006 Mon Sat The teams of Danish architects and the students of the Chinese universities conduct research work for their individual projects both in Denmark and in China. They exchange information and communicate via and phone. They may also consult the engineers, consultants and manufacturers. The Danish architects meet with DAC in Denmark. The Chinese universities meet with UiD in China. The curator facilitate communication and exchange of information between the four groups. Meeting in Copenhagen, April 2006 Sun Departure to Copenhagen professor and 1 assistant from each of the four Chinese universities travel to Copenhagen, where they meet with their respective project partner to conclude the research phase and to initiate the concept phase. Mon Thu Fri Lectures at the School of Architecture in Copenhagen and the School of Architecture in Aarhus. Each of the four Chinese professors gives a lecture on urban development in their city. Challenges, potentials and visions. Meeting in Copenhagen DAC and UiD meet with the four project groups. Each of which present the results of their research and their approach to the concept phase. Representatives of the engineering, consulting and manufacturing companies may be present at this meeting. Sat Sightseeing in Copenhagen 22

23 time schedule Sun Departure to China The Chinese professors and their assistants leave Denmark Concept phase, April - May 2006 Mon Sat The teams of Danish architects and the students of the Chinese universities conduct concept development for their individual projects both in Denmark and in China. They exchange information and communicate via and phone. They may also consult the engineers, consultants and manufacturers. The Danish architects meet with DAC and UiD in Denmark. A Danish professor travels with UiD to the four Chinese universities to give lectures on post WW2 urban development in Scandinavia in relation to the development of a welfare state. The curator facilitate communication and exchange of information between the four groups. Sun The curator provides thematic research material to the four project groups as well as the final exhibition design concept, approved exhibition techniques, specifications for exhibition models and shipping specifications. Workshops in China, May - June 2006 Sun Wed Departure to China -3 members from each of the four teams of Danish architects travel to the individual Chinese cities to conduct a workshop of minimum ten days with their Chinese university partner. During this stay they conclude the concept phase, develop the concepts into actual projects and initiate the production phase. UiD meet with the four project groups in the four Chinese cities. Meeting in Beijing, June 2006 Thu Fri DAC, UiD and the three teams of Danish architects and the three Chinese universities travel to Beijing. Meeting in Beijing, Tsinghua University. 23

24 time schedule DAC and UiD meet with the four project groups. Each of which present their projects, exhibition design proposals and strategy of production. Representatives of the engineering, consulting and manufacturing companies may be present at this meeting. UiD provides the four project groups with catalogue design templates ready to be filled out. The four groups provides UiD with selected video recordings for the process documentary. Sat Sun Sightseeing in Beijing DAC, UiD and the four teams of Danish architects and the three Chinese universities leave Beijing according to their individual travel plans. Production phase, June - July 2006 Mon Mon The teams of Danish architects and the students of the Chinese universities conduct design and lay-out for their individual projects both in Denmark and in China. They exchange information and communicate via and phone. They may also consult the engineers, consultants and manufacturers. The Danish architects meet with DAC in Denmark. The curator facilitate communication and exchange of information between the four groups. Sat The four project groups hand in finished catalogue material and all text for English proof reading. UiD visits the four Chinese universities to check up on production and shipping procedure. Sat The four project groups receives proof read text for exhibition. The Danish architects presents the exhibition material to DAC in Denmark. Shipping, August 2006 Tue All exhibition material is being shipped from the four Chinese universities and the four teams of Danish architects to Venice and Beijing. 24

25 time schedule Exhibitions, September 2006 Thu Fri Sat Fri Sat Sun Departure to Venice Visit to the city Dinner with all project partners Opening of the Venice Biennale All project partners are represented at the opening Dinner with all project partners Departure to Beijing Visit to the city Dinner with all project partners Opening of the Beijing Biennale All project partners are represented at the opening. Dinner with all project partners. 25

26 participants The selection of participants is based on a series of criteria related to the special conditions of this project: 1. Since collaboration is a key aspect of this project it is a crucial precondition for the success of the project, that the participants are not only open to collaboration, but also accept to take on the role as equal collaborators. 2. Since the theme of the project is sustainable urban development it is important that the participants have experience with project development on an urban planning scale. On the other hand, we do not consider it important for the participating architects and students of architecture to possess in-depth expertise on the theme of sustainable urban development, since this expertise should be provided by the most capable within the field, i.e. the engineering, consulting and manufacturing companies. What is important though, is the ability to make use of this expertise and, of course, to have a basic understanding of the issues. 3. Since China and Denmark are - in many ways - very different, it is important that the participants have a real interest in and an open mind to foreign thoughts and methods. They are not simply to translate Western models of urban planning into Chinese - or to simply apply existing Chinese models. The challenges of rapid urbanization and modernization, and the related problems of pollution and resource exhaustion in China, can not be solved by traditional means. Thus, it is our hope, that together the participants will be able to develop entirely new models of urban planning. In addition to these general preconditions, the selection criteria for the Chinese universities are that: 1. They are amongst the most prestigious universities in China. 2. They have excellent departments - and thus some of the most talented students - of urban planning and design. 3. They have shown a real interest in the project. 4. They are located in cities where there not only is a need for new solutions for sustainable urban development but also the economic capacity and the political will to implement such solutions. Based on these criteria we have selected the following Chinese universities: Chongqing University Tongji University Shanghai Tsinghua University Beijing Xi an University of Architecture & Technology

27 participants The selection criteria for the teams of Danish architects are that: 1. They are some of the most innovative and visionary young architects in Denmark. 2. They are internationally oriented, with an explicit interest in China. 3. They have experience with interdisciplinary collaboration. 4. They have experience with urban planning projects. Based on these criteria we have selected the following teams of Danish architects: CEBRA COBE EFFEKT TRANSFORM Each team of Danish architects will form an equal partnership with one of the Chinese universities. The combinations of architects and universities are based on the specific competences of the architects and the individual needs of the cities and interests of the universities. The partnerships are: CEBRA - Tsinghua University Beijing COBE - Chongqing University EFFEKT - Tongji University Shanghai TRANSFORM - Xi an University of Architecture & Technology Furthermore, we have involved Arup, a leading international engineering company with the most advanced expertise in the field of sustainable urban development. We also intend to involve a number of leading Danish consulting and manufacturing companies with high grade products, services and technologies related to the theme of sustainable urban development. Both the engineering company and the consulting and manufacturing companies are expected to provide consultancy to all of the four partnerships. 27

28 architects CEBRA CEBRA is a Danish architectural firm located in Aarhus. The office was founded in 2001 by the architects Mikkel Frost, Carsten Primdahl and Kolja Nielsen. Today, the office employs some 20 people. The clients come from all over Denmark and a serious interest from abroad is now appearing. We do not care much about the scales of architecture, or - to be more accurate - we care a lot about them all. We design just about everything paying attention to much more than the size of the object, the building or the area. We have been involved in all kinds of projects, including industrial design, building design and urban planning. What really matters to us is the idea behind the design. Our ideology is not a general one. Instead we develop ideologies for each new project. This is due to the fact that the conditions under which we work are constantly changing - even during the design and building phase. However, there is a leitmotif forming our architecture - a certain way that we like to deal with space and designing. Maybe it is too superficial to actually call it a CEBRA style, but in many ways that is just what it is - a fashion of our own that ties together the different projects. We have made literally hundreds of projects during the short life of our office. Some of these projects stands out as important breakthroughs for our practice, such as the dwellings at Kolding Golf Course, the urban re-planning of the areas around Horsens State Prison and the Peaks in Vejle City. 28

29 architects COBE COBE is a 2004 found architectural practice with base in Copenhagen and Berlin. COBE stands for our home, origin and inspiration, the European metropolises of Copenhagen and Berlin. COBE has been internationally awarded acknowledgments and prices in several competitions. COBE focuses on urban matters in complex urban conditions. Our professional array spans from the physical realization of architectural design, over strategic urban planning to urban research. We are currently realizing a private residence in Copenhagen, several infrastructure-led master plans for Danish municipalities and a master plan for a new urban quarter in the Chinese metropolis Chengdu. COBE is driven by the question of how to generate the best combination of dense urban conditions, qualitative public spaces, and valuable sustainable solutions. COBE aims to develop responsive and innovative solutions to each specific assignment. We strongly advocate teamwork and close cooperation with other disciplines. Therefore, clients, users and specialist are intensely involved from an early stage of the design process on. This approach will foster new insights and therefore lead to very specific and innovative solutions. COBE is researching the most interesting and challenging conditions of the contemporary city because we believe that will make us better architects and planners. COBE has collaborated with highly innovative companies such as MVRDV (NL), PLOT (DK), ARUP (UK), and ADAMS KARA TAYLOR (UK). We are closely connected to the Architect School of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen through teaching and research. COBE is internationally oriented by composition, with a staff of between 8 and 10 people from various cultural backgrounds. We have been educated across 7 countries and combine the working experience in at least another 7. The young architects Dan Stubbergaard and Vanessa Miriam Carlow lead COBE. 29

30 architects EFFEKT EFFEKT is an interdisciplinary architecture office and consultancy based in Copenhagen committed to helping clients build sustainable large scale city projects and design. Originally founded in January 2003 by Tue Foged (architect), Sinus Lynge, (architect), and Kristoffer Weiss, (philosophy and political science), EFFEKT has developed into a focused design team and a consulting practice focused on urban development and innovation. EFFEKT is experienced in projects covering: - Innovative Architecture - Large Scale Urban Planning and Experince Economy - Strategy and Urban Management Consulting - R&D (research and development) - Education Our business model is centered around four themes - Interdisciplinay approach to large scale urban planning - Every project should be innovative and creative, yet realistic - EFFEKT is already a part of an international network, and these relations should be expanded and explored more - Large scale city and regional planning as our main capacity EFFEKT combines innovative architecture and strategy to achieve better results. To do this we have formed a number of national and international strategic partneships as part of a network strategy to a achieve a more holistic approach to urban development. The partneships help create a solid base for solving large scale projects, and insures a sustainable and mulitfacetted approach. Ramboll Management, a leading international consultancy, has been a main ressource on management and market development, and provided much knowledge into the effects and possibilities of the experience economy. EFFEKT has been awarded in a number of Danish and international competitions, including a 1. prize proposal for a new city for people outside Aarhus, DK. Besides working on projects, EFFEKT has been doing research and teaching on the subject of contemporary city-theory at the University of Copenhagen, and The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture. EFFEKT has organised workshops on urban planning and participated in exhibitions and publications about urban planning, architecture and urban management. 30

31 architects TRANSFORM TRANSFORM is a young architectural office with focus on innovation and experiment. The office has 4-6 employees and is insistantly trying to produce contemporary architecture and urbanism. The office is based in Århus, Denmark. TRANSFORM has close relations to Aarhus School of Architecture through teaching and architectural research. The office is trying to bridge the gap between academia and business, using academic consultants on all projects. TRANSFORM has participated in over 25 open and international competitions and been awarded in more than 50%. TRANSFORM is focused and specialized in concepts for the modern cities and the contemporary public space. The office has its force in ambitious urban plans for the contemporary cities, modern public space and large-scale buildings. The projects of TRANSFORM are often based on urban concepts materializing as urban space, urban buildings or urban plans. TRANSFORM is executing urban planning, urban architecture, sketching, projecting and supervision for public and private investors. TRANSFORM is currently realizing Hasle Hillscape - a collective space in the contemporary city for Realdania and Århus City. TRANSFORM is owned and lead by architect Lars Bendrup. 31

32 universities Tsinghua University, Beijing (1911) Tsinghua University is a national university, located in the north-western suburbs of Beijing. It is considered the best university in China for science, engineering and business along with its long-time rival Peking University known for law, arts, science and medicine. Tsinghua stands out for its strong school traditions originated from its early days as a school to prepare its students for American universities. Traces of American influence can still be seen in Tsinghua s school culture. Admission to Tsinghua is highly competitive. The majority of selected students are national scholars and among the brightest high school graduates in the country. Many of China s top scientists, engineers, politicians and business leaders are among Tsinghua alumni. By the end of 2000, Tsinghua University had eight colleges and 43 departments, 44 research institutes, nine engineering research centres, and 163 laboratories, including 15 national key laboratories. The university offers 37 bachelor s degree programs, 107 master s degree programs and 64 Ph.D. programs. Presently, Tsinghua has over students, including undergraduates, master s degree candidates and 2800 doctoral candidates. Tsinghua University is a member of LAOTSE, an international network of leading universities in Europe and Asia. The school of Architecture has extensive academic cooperation with pre-eminent universities throughout the world, including Harvard University, MIT, Cambridge University and UC Berkeley. 32

33 universities Chongqing University, Chongqing (1929) Chongqing University is a nationally famed comprehensive key university in China, directly under the State Ministry of Education. It is a university listed among the first group of 211 Project universities gaining preferential support in their construction and development from the Central Government of China. Currently, Chongqing University runs a graduate school and offers a wide range of undergraduate programs covering diverse branches of learning such as sciences, engineering, liberal arts, economics, management, law and education. Chongqing University runs 24 colleges or faculties, plus the Graduate school, the City College, the College of Continuing Education, the College of Networking Education. The University now has a total enrolment of 35,455 students, of which 1481 are doctoral student, 5,414 are master degree candidates, 26,433 are undergraduate students, 2,045 are vocational students, and 82 are overseas students. Chongqing University merged with Chongqing Jianzhu University and Chongqing Architectural College on May , forming a new Chongqing University. The merger upgrades the new Chongqing University s academic status in China in the fields of architecture, civil engineering and environmental protection. For its further construction and development, and with the greater support of the State Ministry of Education and Chongqing Municipal Government in terms of capital investment, the new Chongqing University has readjusted its education philosophy. Chongqing University has established inter-school exchange links with 32 institutions of higher education in 13 countries such as the USA, England, France, Japan, etc. Besides, the university has forged cooperative relations with about 20 prestigious international corporations or institutions such as Siemens, Rockwell Automation, IBM, Microsoft and etc. The university receives students from more than 20 countries including South Korea, USA, Japan, Iraq, etc. 33

34 universities Tongji University, Shanghai (1923) The history of Tongji University, located in the northeast of Shanghai, can be traced back to 1907 when Tongji German Medical School was founded by Erich Paulun, a German doctor in Shanghai. It was formally established as a university in Tongji University is one of the leading universities directly under the State Ministry of Education in China. It offers degree programs both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The university has among others School of Sciences, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, School of Civil Engineering, Mechanical School. School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Medicl School, etc. The university now registers over 41,000 students at all levels from certificate and diploma courses to Bachelors Degrees, Masters, PhD programs and post doctoral attachments. There are over 4200 academic staff for teaching and/or research, among whom there are 6 Members of Chinese Academy of Science, 7 Members of Chinese Academy of Engineering, over 530 professors and 1300 associate professors. The university offers diverse courses in its 81 Bachelors Degrees, 151 Masters, 58 PhD programs and 13 post doctoral mobile stations. As one of the state leading centres for scientific research, the university has 5 state key laboratories and engineering research centres. Tongji University was successful in its application for the 211 Program which provided universities with substantial government funds. In 1996 the university merged with Shanghai Institute of Urban Construction and Shanghai Institute of Building Materials. In April 2000, the expanded Tongji merged again with Shanghai Railway University. The university maintains active academic relations with first-class universities and research institutes in America, Canada, Germany, Japan, Great Britain, France, Italy, Hong Kong and Taiwan. 34

35 universities Xi an University of Architecture & Technology, Xi an (1895) Xi an University of Architecture & Technology (XAUAT) is one of the academic centres in China and was one of the first institutions authorized to confer masters and doctoral degrees. It now has more than 1,000 graduate students pursuing various majors. The doctoral degree is granted in the following specialties: Structural Engineering, History and Theory of Architecture, Environmental Engineering, Heating & Gas Supply, Ventilation & Air-conditioning Engineering. The master s degree can be conferred in 24 subjects. There are 23 PhD. advisers and 230 master advisers. XAUAT has set up intercollegiate cooperative relations with universities in USA, Japan, France, etc. At the school of Architecture they focus on sustainability in north-west China and in Xi an especially. They divide this focus into urban planning in rural and urban areas and into conservation work. Xi an is a historic city with many sites that need preservation. In May this year they hosted an international conference for the IWA - International Water Association, with the topic; Future of urban wastewater systems. XAUAT is now undertaking a Study on the Recycling and Reuse of Water Resources for the Arid and Water-deficient Area in Western China as a national key project supported by NSFC, which stresses the needs of wastewater reuse in the developing area and makes decentralisation and reuse become a hot study topic in China. 35

36 cities Beijing Administration type: Municipality Area: km2 Population (2004): Gross Domestic Product (2004): 428,3 billion RMB Income per capita: RMB Beijing has been the capital of China for the past 800 years and it has always had a high concentration of officials and other notables. Beijing is one of four municipalities of the People s Republic of China, which have provincial-level status. It is China s second largest city in terms of population, after Shanghai. Beijing is recognized as the political, educational, and cultural centre of the PRC, while Shanghai and Hong Kong predominate in economic fields. Recent history Fifty years ago, Beijing was the world s sole well-preserved medieval city. It consisted of four layers: the Forbidden City at the center, the Imperial City surrounding it, and the inner and outer residential cities where there were palaces, temples and grand mansions. This layout reflected Chinese ancient philosophy and achieved, as great Chinese architect Liang Sicheng said, an unparalleled masterpiece of city planning. After more than 50 years of renewed construction, great changes have taken place in Beijing. Economy In 2004 Beijing s total gross domestic product was 53 billion USD, a real increase of 13.2% from the previous year. Compared to the GDP of Denmark which is 174,4 billion USD. The tertiary sector (service sector) of industry was the most productive sector of Beijing s economy, contributing 60% of its GDP. Urban income per capita was RMB, an increase of 11.5% from the previous year. Rural income per capita was RMB, an increase of 9.2% from the previous year. Beijing s real estate and automobile sectors continue to boom in recent years. In 2004 a total of million square meters of housing real estate was sold, for a total of 108,51 billion RMB. The total number of automobiles registered in Beijing in 2004 was , of which were privately-owned. The Beijing CBD, situated in eastern urban area, has been identified as the city s new central business district, and is home to a variety of corporate regional headquarters, shopping malls, and high-end housing. The Beijing Financial Street, in the Fuxingmen and Fuchengmen area, is a traditional financial centre. The Wangfujing and Xidan areas are major shopping districts. Zhongguancun, dubbed China s Silicon Valley, continues to be a major centre in electronics- and computer- related industries, as well as pharmaceuticals -related research. Meanwhile, Yizhang, located to the southeast of the urban area, is becoming a new centre in pharmaceuticals, IT, and materials engineering. Major industrial areas include Shijingshal, located on the western outskirts of the city. Agriculture is carried out outside the urban area of Beijing. Vegetables are also grown in the regions closer to the urban area in order to supply the city. 36

37 cities Urban challenges In recent years, the expansion of Beijing has also brought to the forefront some problems of urbanization, such as heavy traffic, poor air quality, the loss of historic neighborhoods, and significant influx of migrants from poorer regions of the country, especially rural areas. Early 2005 saw the approval by government of a plan to finally stop the sprawling development of Beijing in all directions. Development of the Chinese capital would now proceed in two semicircular bands just outside of the city centre (both west and east) instead of being in concentric rings. To reduce urban air pollution, the Beijing municipal government plans to restructure its key industries and shift production for approximately 200 industrial enterprises out of the city. By 2008, Beijing intends to be able to meet environmental quality standards set by the International Olympic Committee. Urban potentials Beijing intends to host a Green Olympics reflecting China s push for sustainable development throughout the 21st century, outlined in Agenda 21. First priority will therefore be given to environmental protection (EP) in the planning, design and construction of Olympic venues and facilities. Strict ecological and environmental standards and systematic support systems will be established. EP technologies and methods are being extensively promoted for water and waste treatment, emission reduction and control, replacement of coal with clean fuel technologies, sustainable energy sources, a forestation and the beautification of urban and rural areas. While the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will provide a number of opportunities in a variety of business sectors, currently the Beijing Authorities priority areas are: o o o o Environmental protection. Transportation. Telecommunication. Sports venues and other service areas. 37

38 cities Chongqing Administration Type: Municipality Area: km2 Population (2002): Gross Domestic Product (2003): 225,1 billion RMB Income per capita (2003): RMB Chongqing is a mountain city situated in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers in southwest China. It is the largest and most populous of the People s Republic of China s four provincial-level municipalities, and the only one in the less densely populated western half of China. Most of the population is living outside of the urban area of Chongqing proper, which has an estimated population of 3.4 million, ranking as the 10th largest urban area of China. Including the unregistered migrants from the countryside, the population of the urban area could be as high as 7.5 million though. Recent history Chongqing was the provisional capital of the government of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek during World War II and was heavily bombed by the Japanese Air Force. In 1997 the National People s Congress decided to merge the cities of Chongqing, Fuling, Wanxian and Qianjiang into one new municipality, to spearhead China s effort to develop its western regions as well as to coordinate the resettlement of refugees from the Three Gorges Dam project. Economy Chongqing is an important industrial city with advanced iron and steel, chemicals, electric power, automobile manufacturing, machine-building, shipbuilding, construction materials, textiles, foodstuffs and pharmaceutical industries. Located at the head of the reservoir behind the Three Gorges Dam, Chongqing is planned to be the beachhead for the development of the western part of the country. Foreign investment in the city is growing at a fast pace. The GDP was 225,1 billion RMB and income per capita was RMB in 2003, ranking no. 303 among 659 Chinese cities. 38

39 cities Urban challenges Chongqing s economic growth, in terms of population, industry, and agricultural production, has come at the cost of increased pollution of air, water, and land resources. Chongqing City is the largest source of organic water pollution in the Yangtze River Basin upstream of the Three Gorges Dam. So far the Yangtze River has been able to absorb urban, agricultural, and industrial pollution loads while maintaining acceptable water quality, thanks to its strong flow and high velocity. The completion of the Three Gorges Dam, some 1000 km downstream of Chongqing, will reduce the velocity of the Yangtze River, increase its water depth, and alter the flow regime. From a local perspective, Chongqing must ensure that its supply of safe water is not endangered by deteriorating surface water quality, in particular near water intakes. Currently, the capacity for wastewater treatment in urban areas is limited. Urban water supply has for the most part been adequate, but occasional localized shortages are likely to become increasingly severe, largely due to limited capacity of the distribution system. Wastewater collection and treatment is very limited, covering only about 13 percent of the waste stream. Urban potentials Chongqing now forms part of an emerging urban industrial corridor which stretches northwest to Chengdu City in Sichuan Province, and is increasingly affected by the Three Gorges Dam construction and related resettlement and infrastructure investments to the northeast. It has become the largest economic center in southwest China, growing at approximately 10 percent a year between The central government s policy between 1987 and 1992 of providing incentives for growth in coastal areas left inland cities behind, and Chongqing s per capita income has lagged percent behind other major cities. With its recent promotion in status, Chongqing is now poised to catch up. Massive public works are currently under way in the city, including overhead and surface commuter rail lines connecting the many districts of the city. 39

40 cities Shanghai Administration type: Municipality Area: km2 Population (2003): Gross Domestic Product (2004): 625,1 billion RMB Income per capita (2003): RMB Situated on the banks of the Yangtze River Delta, Shanghai is China s largest city. The city s development in the past few decades has made it one of the most important economic, commercial, financial and communication centers of China. Administratively, Shanghai is one of four municipalities of the People s Republic of China, which have provincial-level status. Shanghai is also home to the world s busiest port, followed by Singapore and Rotterdam. Recent History During the 1950s and 1960s, Shanghai became an industrial centre and centre for revolutionary leftism. Yet, even during the most tumultuous times of the Cultural Revolution, Shanghai was able to maintain high economic productivity and relative social stability. In most of the history of the PRC(the People s Republic of China), Shanghai has been the largest contributor of tax revenue to the central government compared with other Chinese provinces and municipalities. This came at the cost of severely crippling Shanghai s infrastructure and capital development. In the 1990s, there was what was often described as the Shanghai clique which included the president of the PRC Jiang Zemin and the premier of the PRC Zhu Rongji. Starting in 1992, the central government under Jiang Zemin, a former Mayor of Shanghai, began reducing the tax burden on Shanghai and encouraging both foreign and domestic investment in order to promote it as the economic hub of east Asia and to encourage its role as gateway of investment to the Chinese interior. Since then it has experienced continuous economic growth of between 9-15% annually, arguably at the expense of growth in Hong Kong, leading China s overall development. 40