|
The requested resource (/editor/default/) is not available
|
 In your opinion, what are the most pressing issues of the urban
environment? And, what is the biggest obstacle preventing environmentally
friendly city planning/management? |
 He: The most pressing issues are rapid urbanization and inadequate environmental infrastructure, such as water and wastewater treatment facilities, air pollution control equipment, solid wastes treatment facilities, etc. According to Chinese government data, the drinking water quality in 47% of the cities can’t meet health standards. Only 54% of wastewater was treated among 47 key cities. In most cities, only 20% of garbage is treated.
The key obstacles are a) environmental administrative agencies do not have enough executive power to implement environmental regulations and laws; b) a lack of financial mechanisms to support construction of wastes treatment facilities.
|
Ashcroft: In Atkins China Ltd. we are very focused on the situation in China, and so my comments are directed to this geography rather than the global situation.
China is undergoing a massive urbanization process - some 150 million people will migrate from the countryside to the cities over the next two decades. This is equivalent to building three new Great Britains over 20 years. This urban revolution is unprecedented in history in terms of scale, and is affecting the world economy as well as impacting almost every aspect of life in China and the economy there.
In China four themes - transport, infrastructure, energy efficiency and livability - permeate the problems of urban environment facing almost every city.
|
 |
|
| What are the best ways to bridge the gap between research
and implementation of policies? Between capacity and financing? |
He: The best way to bridge the gap between research and implementation of policies is to promote the non-governmental organizations (NGO). Most NGO leaders are well-educated professionals. They understand the latest research results and policy development. They are also grassroots-based. They are much more efficient than government agencies. They can help implement policies by educating the public, developing pilot and model projects and providing feedback to the governments, etc.
Chinese government ought to allow some cities (at least 47 key cities) to issue construction bonds to help finance environmental treatment facilities. This will bridge the gap between capacity and financing.
|
Ashcroft: The needs of urban development in China are beyond the resources of government alone. The private sector is already an important partner in development and this trend will inevitably increase. Unfortunately some planning in China is still very academic in approach and often impractical in terms of implementation.
Atkins’ approach to planning specifically recognizes the importance of the partnership between public and private sectors to deliver resources and looks forward to the needs for implementation. We call our approach “Solution Planning“. In simple terms this means we plan to achieve solutions – development proposals that can be readily implemented, not just as cost effective outcomes, but as packages or projects that will be financially viable and will attract private sector investment where necessary.
This is an important evolution in approach, geared specifically to help bridge the gap between capacity and finance. We see Atkins as being at the intersection of the public and private sector interests and often uniquely placed to understand the needs of each party. From this position we can help bridge the gap between capacity and finance.
|
|
|
| Who are the stakeholders that affect the shape of a sustainable
city and how can they cooperate? What helps or hinders public/private sector
cooperation for healthy and sustainable cities in developing
countries? |
He: The stakeholders include residents (families), communities, governments, business and professional agencies (schools, research institutes, non-profit organizations, etc.). The government should do more to publicize environmental regulations and violations by businesses. Thus the residents (the public) will know what happens in their neighborhoods and help the governments in environmental management. Professional groups should do more to see that residents participate in hearings on the environmental impact of development projects. Professional groups can also work with the business community to promote environmentally friendly products and practice. Business should have stronger social responsibility to control pollution and to minimize wastes. They should work more closely with professionals on adopting advanced technologies. The residents should cooperate with the government on waste’s reduction plans, energy and water saving programs, or other environmental regulations. The community [corresponds to] the lower level of government; it should report environmental concerns to the city managers and monitor the polluting factories within the community.
More market-based approaches in implementing environmental regulations, such as tax reduction, environmental credits and subsidies, etc., would help public/private sector cooperation. Participatory approaches in policy and decision-making would also enhance the public/private cooperation. Participation not only builds knowledge and competence for the stakeholders, it also brings up partners for the program. Both market-based and participatory approaches need to be enhanced in China.
|
Ashcroft: China presents a unique context in terms of stakeholders and political context. The central government plays a key role through setting the broad polices that direct planning. The current emphasis on social cohesion is one example. This broad direction is reinforced and focused through the specific policies of the various Ministries. The Ministry of Construction has recently introduced new and wide ranging procedures for energy efficiency that will have a major impact on energy use and building design.
However, the most influential stakeholders perhaps are the mayors and senior officials within each of China’s cities. These individuals have a huge influence on the direction and quality of urban development within their city. An energetic mayor and senior officials are the driving force behind many of the success stories in China.
Unfortunately, if strong leadership is lacking, there is often a lack of cohesion within the various arms of city government that can frustrate the integration that is critical to efficient planning. The results can be very disappointing and lead to serious environmental problems.
The focus on community involvement is also growing in China and community views are increasingly being sought to help direct proposals for urban development and contribute to environmental assessments of projects.
|
|
|
| With the unavoidable growth of urban cities in the
developing world, which basic strategies should urban planners take into account
in the next 15 years? |
He: Developing a solid public transportation system, adopting the latest renewable energy technologies, and building key industrial sectors are very important to future urban development.
Limits on oil resources prevent unlimited increasing of private cars. Therefore a solid public transportation system is essential to the urban expansion. Renewable energy helps solve both energy and environmental problems. For example, production of biomass energy reduces wastes and generates clean power. Selecting a few industrial sectors, which can make best use of local resources, both natural and human, and adopting advanced technology to be competitive, are good strategies for city planners.
|
Ashcroft: The scale of urbanization in China, where many projects involve essentially new towns or small cities, dictates a focus on basics. Most of our major projects progress through the following broad stages:
First, we attempt to understand the role and function of a new urban project. Any sustainable project requires a firm economic basis and confidence that employment opportunities and social stability that is implied, will follow from the project. This is particularly important as new towns absorb the large influx of workers from rural areas.
Second, we identify and address any critical environmental constraints and ensure that these are addressed as a key objective of the plan. Our objective is not just to avoid environmental problems but to achieve long term gain and enhancement where possible.
Third, we consider the needs for transport and core infrastructure. These considerations typically will result in a reliance on mass transit as the skeleton for the urban form. However, mass transit must be supported by an integrated transport strategy aimed at encouraging efficiency. This typically results in a nodal compact urban form centred on mass transit stations and an integrated transport plan to respond to needs as the new area grows over time.
Fourth, we apply the imaginative urban design, architecture and landscape needed to create the quality, identity, convenience and sense of place that characterize all successful urban developments.
This approach delivers strong practical plans able to be implemented efficiently. It requires an integrated multi-disciplinary approach and a broad range of technical skills.
While we usually think of sustainability as three dimensional – linking economics, environment and social issues – we also consider a fourth dimension – time. Most major new town projects require 10 to 15 years for completion and scheduling is critically important, both to the people living there and for the financial viability of the project.
|
|
|
| What is needed to ensure enough financing that leads to
sustainable urban areas? What are some good examples of how to finance
sustainable urban growth? |
| He: A proper user charge system for services such as water, electricity and buses, rational land and business tax policies, mechanisms for financing infrastructure locally, are important for sustainable urban areas. |
Ashcroft: Surprisingly we do not see a major shortage of potential finance for urban projects in China. In fact there is considerable competition at present among international funding agencies and private sector investors to support urban infrastructure. The problem is more one of defining financially sound projects (as opposed to projects the cities want but are unlikely to be financially viable) and linking these projects to suitable sources of finance.
This is one of the areas where the “Solution Planning” approach being applied by Atkins in China is making a contribution. Solution planning helps define and package projects at the planning stage, and ensures they are as efficient as possible so as to attract financial support.
In a recent project in China we were asked to review the plans for a major urban area with a view to secure financing for a major metro scheme. Our revised plan achieved better integration of the metro and future development opportunities and recommended an integrated approach to transport planning. The “Solution Planning” approach improved patronage and revenue on the metro, reduced construction costs, and through revised phasing provided an improved investment programme for the metro to improve the project’s financial return. The metro project is now being funded, and the revised plan will provide benefits through improved accessibility and a more compact urban form.
|
|
| What makes an urban area in a developing country
competitive? |
He: A relatively comfortable natural environment, dynamic industrial sectors and cultural diversity make an urban area in a developing country more competitive.
|
Ashcroft: This is a very broad question with many different perspectives. We have touched on some of the issues already. A strong economic basis, efficient transport links, both internally and externally, and livability in terms of convenience and environmental quality are all key factors.
What is becoming evident in China, however, is that as cities and regions develop and mature, the “quality” associated with social and environment issues is becoming much more important. This is particularly evident in cities such as Shenzhen which, in the past 15 years, has transformed from a frontier town dominated by manufacturing supported by cheap land and labour to a city with an evolving economy focused on technology. In parallel, it has focused strongly on building a sense of community with emphasis on social infrastructure and opportunities and livability.
As urban development continues across China, lower labour and land costs and accessibility will continue to attract investment and growth.. We will see that more cities will focus too on quality and livability to build their identity.
|
|
| Have information and communication technologies been an
effective tool for urban development? Why or why not? |
He: There is no doubt that computer, TV and phone, etc., are effective tools for urban development. Computer-aided planning and decision-making make the process more accurate and more efficient. TV and web tech, on the other hand, significantly facilitate information dissemination and public administration. As long as the government puts all policy information on the web, it can reach almost every family instantly. Many government services such as registration, licensing, testing, paying charges/fees, etc., can be handled on the web. However, most cities in China haven’t fully made use of the web. Information on the web is often out of date or insufficient. The officials are still not used to communicating directly with citizens on the TV.
|
Ashcroft: At a macro level the information and communication technologies have had a significant impact. However, at a practical and local level there has been little impact on the fundamental needs for accessibility and travel and hence on the needs of urban development.
|
|
| How can rapidly growing and urbanizing cities in the
developing world achieve a balance between development and
environment-friendliness? How can they resolve the trade-off between the two
goals? |
He: Shenzhen is the most rapidly growing city in China. In 26 years, it has changed from a village to a city with several million inhabitants. However, it is an environment-friendly city. A proper industrial structure, the use of clean energy and city planning are keys to the city’s sustainable development.
The city promotes quality high-tech based and resource-saving industries. It highlights clean production and wastes reduction in all industrial sectors. It applies gasification tech to reduce direct use of coal, which produces much less air pollutants. The city requires greening the surrounding area at the time of construction. The greening investment shall be 3-5% of all construction investment. In the overall city plan, much space is left between functional groups for leisure with grass and trees. Polluting industries are relatively concentrated and away from residential areas.
|
Ashcroft: I think we are seeing a growing maturity in recognizing the need for balance between development and environmental quality. There will always be a conflict but today decision makers are increasingly aware of the need for balance. In China the Central Government has added environment and sustainable development to the criteria used to assess the performance of city government. This is a major step forward and has delivered noticeable results.
We must, however, also be realistic. Europe, the United States and the other major developed countries have several decades start in environmental planning and management. They also generally face far less strident needs for development and poverty alleviation. It will take time, maybe 10 years before we see any dramatic improvements across the board. What is vitally important is that we apply the very best approaches to the planning of new urban areas and the regeneration of older areas to help speed the process. I am cautiously optimistic looking forward.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The requested resource (/editor/default/) is not available
|
 |
Daniel A. López, La Cumbrecita, Argentina
Read  | |
|
- WB Development Marketplace: Innovations in Water, Sanitation, and Energy Services for Poor People: Washington, DC, May 8-9, 2006
- Global City: Lyon, France, May 17-19, 2006
- World Environment Day 2006: Deserts and Desertification: June 5, 2006
- World Urban Forum: Vancouver, Canada, June 19-23, 2006
- World Urban Festival: Vancouver, Canada, June 21-25
|
|
|
|
|
Email this page 
Sign-up