CASE STUDY:
Proposed Chinese Eco-city - Dongtan, Shanghai
introduction
Dongtan, China has the potential to be the world’s first eco-city. Sited on an island on the Yangtze River which is currently home to migratory birds and farmers, Shanghai Investment Corporation and Arup propose developing a utopian city. They hope to build a city for 500,000 people by 2050.
Unlike most modern cities which are heavily reliant on the use of fossil fuels, Dongtan aims to produce much of its energy on site. The plan is for Diesel and petrol driven vehicles to be banned with battery or hydrogen powered vehicles and bicycles used instead of conventional transportation. Unlike other modern cities, Dongtan is to be incredibly quiet - the dominant noises in the landscape will come from humans and animals rather than machines.
An artists impression of the wetland and city.
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Occupants will have a small ecological footprint in the eco-city, an average 2.0 hectares per person, approximately one third of the footprint of London dwellers. Multi-storey buildings topped with green roofs will abound within green spaces and constructed canals and lakes will form part of the water management system. A network of cycle and walking paths will provide a range of recreation opportunities for Dongtan’s inhabitants.
The existing wetlands will form an integral part of the city and will be staunchly protected. Arup estimates that the city of half a million people will be more water efficient (and still grow the cities food needs) than the current agricultural activities on the land. |
As Peter Head, Director of Sustainability at Arup claims Dongtan will be a “new paradigm of urban development for China.” This project provides much hope for the future of our cities and our globe.
other links
>> About Dongtan
>> EPSRC Dongtan Sustainable City Networks
>> For more information on the project and Arup
>> Peter Head, Director of Sustainability, Arup discussing the Dongtan project
>> Story in the Guardian
>> arup
>> Integrated Urbanism
