Eco-cities In China Research Articles

Eco-City Planning; concepts and contemporary models

This research is specifically centered on the concepts and contemporary models of eco-city planning. In the current era, there is a notable emergence of innovative city models with a focus on addressing climate-related issues. The drive to create new urban forms and models that concentrate global warming and climate challenges has resulted in the development of contemporary and innovative models, prominently exemplified by the eco-city. Previous studies have underscored the technological, socio-economic, and political aspects of eco-cities. While eco-cities are recognized for their highly technologically innovative approaches, the development of new architectural concept considered a crucial aspect of their design. Beyond technological development, there is a significant emphasis on developing an architectural concept that considers climatic adaptation and sustainability features within a holistic approach. Therefore, the importance of crafting a technologically advanced city conducive to eco-city planning dynamics, especially with a sustainable architectural concept, is highlighted and deemed worthy of research exploration. The study delves into different contemporary eco-city models from diverse climatic regions worldwide to examine their architectural concept development challenges. Notable examples on a global scale, such as the Sino-Singaporean Tianjin Eco-city in China, Masdar City in the United Arab Emirates, and the proposed Istanbul Küçükçekmece Eco-city in Türkiye, are scrutinized. The findings of the research underscore the significance of eco-cities in terms of architectural design and the use of sustainable materials for both sustainability and climate adaptation. These models, which align with technological advancements, emerge as sustainable and climate-sensitive city models. They serve as crucial examples in developing a more sustainable architectural model. Ultimately, the research emphasizes that designing a contemporary eco-city that addresses climatic privileges and without an sustainable architectural concept will not yield a sufficiently effective result.

Planning for Eco-City in China: Policy Mobility in Path Creation of Eco-Zhuhai

Idea of eco-city booms in China’s planning practices under central state’s envisioned transition towards “ecological civilization” wherein Zhuhai stands out as an example well fitted the eco-livable paradigm. To disentangle how Zhuhai has achieved such fame, this article identifies two interlocked and nested forms of policy mobility: policy reformulation towards pro-environment and policy circulation of advanced eco-experiences, and reviews key process of eco-city planning in the city since 1980s. Rather than an explicit, long-term vision, the review suggests that Zhuhai’s reputation as an eco-city model results from cumulative effects of early policy formulation towards environmental protection upon its geographical location, its natural assets, and essentially early hysteresis in the growth race. Though subsequent development has been path-dependently locked in, it is benefitted from the planning regime wherein knowledge and experiences related to eco-city are instantly shared.

Low-carbon eco-city development policy in China: a bibliometric analysis of policy documents

PurposeThe rationality of the selection and application of policy instruments in current policy schemes for promoting the development of low-carbon eco-cities in China is examined and, in view of existing problems, effective suggestions for scientifically and reasonably organizing and designing policy instruments are proposed, which is of great significance to optimize the policy system for the development of low-carbon eco-cities in China and thereby promote sustainable urban development.Design/methodology/approachIn the study, using 117 policy documents focusing on the development of low-carbon eco-cities issued by the Chinese central government as well as the relevant ministries and commissions between 2010 and 2019 and comprehensively adopting bibliometric and content analysis methods, the contents of policy documents are quantitatively analyzed from three dimensions: policy instrument, policy area and policy target.FindingsThe study finds the following. Ecological environment and low-carbon development are the focus of policy attention. Policy-promulgating institutions have formed a core subnetwork, that is, an “iron triangle.” There exists a structural imbalance in the use of policy instruments, and the distribution of policy instruments in different policy areas exhibits significant differentiating characteristics. Driven by different policy targets, the proportion of the policy instrument types adopted by the government is constantly changing. According to these findings, suggestions are put forward to optimize China's low-carbon eco-city development policy.Originality/value(1) A three-dimensional policy analysis framework is conducted from the perspective of policy instrument, which is innovative in theory. (2) This paper finds the selective utilization rationality and evolution rule of China's low-carbon eco-city development policy instruments. (3) Recommendations on optimizing China's low-carbon eco-city development policies are discussed systematically, which plays a theoretical guiding role in optimizing the development policies of low-carbon eco-cities in China.

How to build an eco-efficient city? Cases studies in Chinese urbanization over the past 20 years

• We propose a hybrid model to estimate city eco-efficiency and TGR, and investigate the relationship between growth and city eco-efficiency. • TGR plays a vital role in city growth patterns and China's inter-region imbalances. • City growth patterns show homogeneous within a region and heterogeneous between regions. • China's urbanization needs governments’ intervention. • Policy-makers policy-executors should pay more attention to the linkage between eco-city and city characteristics. This paper investigates disparities in the technological gap ratio (TGR) between regionally-grouped cities and the effects of urban growth on city eco-efficiency measured using eco-efficiency and TGR estimations, by applying a hybrid model to data from 30 provincial cities in China from 2000 to 2017. Estimates show that overall city eco-efficiency in China is low, although city eco-efficiency and TGR differ greatly between regions. Meanwhile, results illustrate that TGR plays a crucial role in imbalances between China's regions, by inherently affecting city growth patterns and eco-efficiency. Importantly, the patterns of city growth are homogenous within each region and heterogeneous between regions. Furthermore, results certify that policies from China's central government positively affect city eco-efficiency, but aggravate inter-region imbalances. Therefore, the findings suggest that China's eco-city building needs guidance from the central government, and that policy-makers and policy-executors should pay more attention to linkages between city TGR and development when seeking to build an eco-city in China.

User demands analysis of Eco-city based on the Kano model-An application to China case study.

Eco-cities have witnessed rapid growth in these years worldwide. As the Eco-cities entering operation stage gradually, more and more researchers have found that users (who are living or working in the Eco-cities) satisfaction is one of the most important factors to determine the success or failure of Eco-cities. Therefore, it is very important to investigate the user demands to attract more citizens willing to live or work in the Eco-cities, which will make the development of Eco-cities more sustainable and solid. The recent researches on user demands investigation and analysis in the Eco-cities mainly focused on understanding the user need itself, yet lack of research on the relationship between the user demand and user satisfaction. This paper initially introduced the Kano model analysis method to the research field of user demands in Eco-city, to explore the relationship between the user demand and user satisfaction. After proposing user demands library in Eco-city (including Land use, Ecological environment, Green building, Energy utilization, etc.), the user demands classification and importance analysis methods of Eco-city were proposed based on Kano model. The questionnaire survey for users of two Eco-cities in China as case study was conducted, consisted of user demand items questionnaire based on the Kano model and a questionnaire on the importance of the user demand items. By utilizing the integration of quantitative analysis methods based on the Kano model and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, the final ranking of user demands importance was obtained. Comparing with the existing literatures in terms of user demands research for Eco-city, the user demands analysis method based on Kano model of this paper, is able to reveal the influence degree of user satisfaction towards the facilities and services provided in the Eco-city. The user demands analysis method can be used for other researchers worldwide to investigate and quantitively analyze user demands according to their local development situation and preference of Eco-city. The user demands analysis results obtained through this method, can benefit different stages of Eco-city.

Governing eco-cities in China: Urban climate experimentation, international cooperation, and multilevel governance

International cooperation has become an important element of urban climate experimentation, particularly in developing countries. Using the Sino-German Eco-Park in Qingdao as a case study, we argue that while multilevel governance and international cooperation are often discussed separately, these two governance tendencies are in fact both important to China’s urban climate experimentation. In particular, Chinese multilevel governance enables bilateral cooperation by (re)shaping the national vision at the local level and resolving potential conflicts or contradictions. It also allows local and foreign intermediaries to coordinate and match resources among different interests and actors. The effectiveness of multilevel governance in eco-city projects is conditioned by intermediary institutions’ resources and capabilities. Effectiveness also depends on maintaining the attention of national governments to the eco-city projects. Thus, the cooperative form, the actors’ attributes, and the resources mobilised by actors are three important factors that affect the outcomes of international eco-city projects.

Investigation of urban green space equity at the city level and relevant strategies for improving the provisioning in China

• Urban green space (UGS) is an important component of cities. • Characteristics of UGS were studied in 58 major cities of China. • Inequities in UGS were detected at the intercity level. • Characteristics of UGS were driven by both natural and socioeconomic factors. • Several recommendations for improving UGS were put forward. Urban green space (UGS) is essential for improving urban resilience and the well-being of residents, and UGS supply is an important aspect of the construction of eco-cities in China. As a quasi-public goods, compared to UGS equity studies within a city, there has been little research on UGS equity among different cities. This paper first established a conceptual framework for UGS provisioning of local governments, and then, based on multi-source data, the UGS equity among 58 major cities in China and the related influencing factors were investigated; lastly, strategies for making improvements were put forward. The findings showed that the proposed integrated conceptual framework could reveal the formational processes of current UGS in China’s cities, providing a coherent framework for UGS supply improvement. The average UGS of 58 cities was found to be in undersupply compared to current standards, and its spatial equity was not good; climate, urban topography, proportion of secondary industry, and title incentive factors exerted significant effects on UGS coverage, per capita UGS and accessible UGS; furthermore, the per capita gross domestic product (GDP) and land availability were found to have a significant influence on UGS coverage and per capita UGS; while population density only impacted the per capita UGS. Comprehensive governance strategies including policy innovations for the central government, capacity enhancements of local governments, UGS planning refinements in terms of contents, procedures, and standards, and the engagement of non-profit organizations should be implemented to strengthen the supply of UGS and alleviate intercity inequity.

New architectural and planning solutions as a mean of ecological modernization and reconstruction of urban environment (on the example of Shanghai city, China)

The results of research represented in the article relate to ecological modernization and reconstruction of urban environment on the example of planning efficient usage and improvement of former industrial zones territories of Shanghai city. A one of them is Taopu district. The main criteria and content of environmental assessment are developed. The territories were redeveloped with taking into account environmental potential of the urban areas on the base of calculations carried out and analysis of data obtained. Planning for further use of the former Taopu industrial zone could help the theory and practical experience of construction of eco-cities in China and in the world.

Promoting green residential buildings by increasing homebuyers’ willingness to pay: Evidence from Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city in China

Abstract Increasing willingness to pay (WTP) is critical to promote green residential buildings (GRBs), but residents' WTP for GRBs has not yet been well studied. To examine residents' WTP for GRBs and its determinants, a survey was conducted among 511 current GRB occupants living in Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city in China, and latent class regression was used to analyze the heterogeneity of their preferences. Four factors of residential satisfaction were identified—operation and maintenance, comfort and health, architectural and construction quality, and accessibility of GRBs—and these determinants of WTP had different effects on different groups of residents. The mean WTP of the majority (64.5%) of residents was 374 CNY/m2 (about 54 USD), accounting for only 2.2% of the housing price. Four segments of residents with heterogeneous preferences were identified. The dominant segment (accounting for 64.5%) was “Indifferent residents with low WTP”. The second largest segment (accounting for 18.9%) was “Critical residents with 1000 + WTP”, followed by the third largest segment (13.3%) — “High WTP residents driven by comfort and health”, while the smallest segment (3.3%) was “Operation and maintenance-sensitive residents”. The policy implications are that stakeholders should work to enhance the operational performance of GRBs, thereby improving residents’ satisfaction and increasing their WTP.

Қиыр шығыстaғы эко-қaлa дaмуы: қытaй мен жaпонияның қaлaлaрын сaлыстырмaлы тaлдaу

The eco-city concept appeared only a few decades ago, but it has already managed to spread not only to developed, but also to developing countries of the world. Now this concept is being resorted to both locally and internationally to solve environmental problems and challenges. These problems and challenges have arisen due to intensive industrialization and rapid urbanization, which still continue in Asia. This scientific article provides an overview of the results of solving problems in East Asian states, such as Japan and China, and how successful these results are. Although these countries are located in the same region, their approach to implementing the eco-city concept is different. This is due to the difference, firstly, in the political regime, and, secondly, in the stage of economic development. In China, the development of an eco-city has spread very widely, but this development looks very different compared to Japan according to different criteria, for example, what goals have been set and whose interests this city will serve. For this reason, a classification is provided that defines the difference between all eco-cities in China. Due to the fact that it is impossible to compare and list all the differences between the eco-cities of the two countries, we took the best practices of these countries. We will try to determine the differences through a comparative analysis of these cities - Kitakyushu in Japan and Tianjin in China. Key words: eco-city, Japan, China, Kitakyushu, Tianjin, KPI.

Application of new architectural and planning solutions to create an ecological city (on the example of Shanghai, China)

This article represents the results of research on improvement of the Shanghai micro-district with the use of selected eco-friendly architectural and planning solutions and identification of the main ways to solve the problem of eco-urban development in Shanghai which are the following: land management, population management, clean energy sources and “green” consumption. Research is based on analysis and calculations on main trends of the theory and practical experience of construction of eco-cities in China and in the world.

Application of environmental performance analysis for urban design with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and EcoTect tools: The case of Cao Fei Dian eco-city, China

This paper suggests a type of quantitative research method with the application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and EcoTect tools for a sustainable urban design project. This paper is part of a funded research study and was completed in 2010. This study is part of the larger project for planning and development of Cao Fei Dian eco-city development in North-Eastern China; one of the first eco-city development projects in the first batch of pilot eco-cities in China. The research programme addresses the main aspects of good practice in terms of eco-design and sustainability. These aspects include wind flow analysis around buildings, insolation analysis of open spaces, pollutant dispersion in water systems and noise control on urban highways. This study aims to explore a range of research methods in order to enhance the performance of integrated design with a comprehensive planning stage. The integration in evaluation across professions and subject boundaries is emphasised to identify the key gaps between sustainability and design. The main method of this study is the application of CFD and EcoTect tools for environmental performance of a larger urban area than the common use for architectural interventions or immediate outdoor spaces of a project. This study suggests an integrated urban design model with the application of computational tools (i.e. CFD and EcoTect in here) and how these could inform, from a technical dimension, a more comprehensive approach to executing best practice in design and planning. The paper concludes by suggesting an integrated model of urban design to achieve urban sustainability.

Financing Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City: What Lessons Can Be Drawn for Other Large-Scale Sustainable City-Projects?

Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City (SSTEC) is currently the best-known and arguably the most successful large-scale sustainable new town development project in China; as such, experiences gathered there are of significant importance for the development of other eco-cities in China and elsewhere. This article focuses on a thus far relatively understudied aspect of SSTEC, the financial vehicles used to fund SSTEC. The authors find that highly structured and intense collaboration at the national level between China and Singapore plays a catalytic role in attracting many other players to the project by giving them confidence that it is too big to fail. It encourages various preferential policies from lower governmental bodies, broad involvement of the private sector, a market-based operation model and the issuing of bonds in Singapore, which all contribute significantly to Tianjin eco-city’s financial viability. The broad involvement of the private sector relieves part of the financial burden from local governments, while the bonds issued in international markets lower the interest rate for master developers. However, the Sino-Singaporean collaboration at the national level is far less likely to be replicated to other eco-cities, since this requires an enormous willingness on the part of other countries to invest manpower, money, and other resources into the construction of eco-cities in China.

Singapore as a long-term case study for tropical urban ecosystem services

Ecosystem services have gained rapid interest for understanding urban-environment interactions. However, while the term “ecosystem services” is relatively novel, their principles have influenced urban planning for decades. This study assesses the wealth of urban ecosystem services research conducted in the tropical city state of Singapore, in particular their historical local use and implicit and explicit incorporation into land use planning, and shows how Singapore is exporting their experiences to other cities around the world. Singapore is an important model for urban ecosystem services research, as the nation has experienced rapid urban development and has a 100 % urban population. Singapore also historically utilized ecosystem services in urban decision making long before the concept was popularized. For example, forests were conserved since 1868 for climatic regulation and for the watershed protection services provided to Singapore’s first reservoirs, and green spaces have been conserved for cultural ecosystem services since the 1920s. Urban ecosystem services were formally incorporated into national planning in the 1960s through the “Garden City” urban planning vision. Singapore is now a leading case study for tropical urban climatology and carbon sequestration, exporting its experiences globally through bilateral agreements and the construction of eco-cities in China, and the creation and promotion of a global City Biodiversity Index to assess urban ecosystem service provision in cities across the globe. Consolidating and understanding case study cities such as Singapore is important if we are to understand how to incorporate multiple ecosystem services into large scale planning frameworks, and provides an important tropical example in a research field dominated by western, temperate case studies.

Creating an Ecological Historic District: Rethinking a Chinese Challenge through the Case of Oakland District, Pittsburgh

Abstract The urbanization process in China, characterized by unprecedented scale, speed and range, resulted in a severe loss of historic communities and traditional urban morphology. Preservation of “obsolete” historic districts has been constantly threatened by large-scale demolitions. With the emergence of livability as an integral goal, historic district renovation has increasingly been taking a more progressive approach, with radical visions on eco-cultural resilience and cultural evolution. The thriving notion of “ecological city”, with systemic and integral objectives, evaluation systems and practical strategies and technologies, holds potential for guiding sustainable development in communities, meanwhile supporting the dynamic involvement of cultures. However, implementation of eco-cities in China almost exclusively target previously undeveloped areas and was never realized in historic districts. The loss of sense of place in historic districts, the demand for livable communities, as well as the rise of territorialisation prompt us to explore this specific question: can we make a historic district ecological and livable at the same time? The goal of this paper is to explore planning methodologies, building on the evaluation systems developed for eco-cities, in order to create livable and ecological historic districts, i.e., eco-historic districts. Through the case study of Oakland district in Pittsburgh, PA, the merits and demerits of existing development and future plan of historic districts were discussed. By analyzing, comparing, and combining various eco-city evaluation indexes, we developed a new eco-city index system that was spatially and temporally re-scaled to the district's hierarchy for the creation of ecological historic districts. In particular, we integrated both cultural and social aspects, i.e., the five drivers of livability, society, culture, nature, and economy, to offer a comprehensive contribution to the spatial strategies for renovating historic districts.

Optimizing the Complex Urban: The Case of Sustainability and the Built Environment for the Eco-Cities in China

Optimizing the Complex Urban: The Case of Sustainability and the Built Environment for the Eco-Cities in China

Quantitative Analysis of Urban Pluvial Flood Alleviation by Open Surface Water Systems in New Towns: Comparing Almere and Tianjin Eco-City

Increased surface runoff generated in urban areas due to larger proportion of impervious surfaces has, in many cases, exceeded the capacity of urban drainage systems. In response to such challenge, this paper introduces the quantitative analysis of pluvial flood alleviation by open surface water systems in the case of Almere in the Netherlands and compares it with Tianjin Eco-City in China, with the aim of optimizing land use planning and urban design for new urban districts. The methodology is a combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis. With the analytical tool of ArcGIS, the authors have investigated the influence of spatial distribution of surface water system on the reduction of pluvial flood risks. The conclusions include some preliminary principles: (1) a densely distributed surface water network is preferable; (2) areas farther away from water body require water sensitive spatial intervention; and (3) optimizing the allocation of different types of ground surface could contribute to pluvial flood alleviation. An alternative design proposal for a typical urban block in Tianjin Eco-City has been put forward to illustrate these principles.

Eco-Cities in China: Ecological Urban Reality or Political Nightmare?

The dual challenges and complexities of global climate change and rapid urbanization have prompted international engagement in the promotion of sustainable cities around the world. In recent years, China has shined on the international stage thanks to its commitment to ecological sustainability and the strategies it has deployed to ensure that this commitment would not only remain ink on a chapter of its latest (12th) Five Year Plan. Besides its insistence on subsidizing the national production of solar panels, China is particularly commended for its work on eco-cities. The Beijing Urban Planning Museum explains that eco-cities are a way for China to further its urban development whilst creating more ecological opportunities for its population, and helping out the country with its commitment to cleaning and restoring its environment and diminishing its global environmental footprint. Despite this, the eco-city in China still remains at an experimental stage, and displays weaknesses that may leave an observer doubtful of the future of urban ecology in China. In an attempt to contribute to the limited literature on Chinese eco-cities, this research investigates three eco-urban megastructures—Tianjin Eco-city, Dongtan Eco-city, and Qingdao Eco-park—and compares them in their successes and observable limitations in urban ecology. The study finds that although China’s effort at promoting ecological urban development is commendable, there are major challenges that threaten the success of these projects which can be attributed to the particular relationship between China’s political and bureaucratic systems and the practice of urban ecology.

How Eco are China’s Eco-Cities? An International Perspective

To tackle the problems and challenges posed by the rapid urbanization processes and to purse urban development in sustainable manners, the Chinese government has taken vigorous efforts in developing eco-cities across the nation. After reviewing the studies on concepts, frameworks and indicator systems of eco-city, we have observed a large amount of literature on the selection of indicators under a singular framework in China rather than having a quantity comparison from a broader scope. To obtain a quantitative sense of how well China’s eco-cities are doing compared to the best practices in the international arena, we have selected two cases from Japan and Germany. By examining their indicator quantities under the national eco-city framework of China, we have identified the gap between economic related indicator values, suggesting lower averaged economic values and energy efficiencies of Chinese eco-cities. Targets concerning the waste sector are also lower in China than in the other two cases. The environmental indicator values show lower quality than in the other two cases as well, and the social indicators manifest a specific methodological approach for measurements in China. Discussions and suggestions are made based on the outcomes of comparisons, hopefully to provide reference for the future development of eco-cities in China.

Analysis of the Characteristics of Gongqing Digiecocity Planning

The combination of digital technology and ecological technology makes digital Eco city become the future direction of smart city development, and it is an inevitable choice in the course of human history. Through comparing Gongqing DigiEcoCity with other Eco city in china on city scale, planning stage, index system and development model of, it is found that Gongqing DigiEcoCity has great ecological foundation, with the perfect combination of space ecological planning, digital technology and ecological technology, the city is a pioneer in the exploration of future smart cities.