Arup Goes Even Further with Sustainable Development in China

In September we reported that London-based Arup had been appointed by the Shanghai Industrial Investment Corporation (SIIC) in China to plan the world’s first sustainable city . It is hoped that the project will define the future of sustainable urban development in China and beyond.

Recently, Arup officials announced the signing of an even more wide-reaching contract with SIIC that expands on the existing partnership to plan and develop the world’s first eco-city at Dongtan. The contract details 11 new areas of agreement and confirms an ongoing commitment for Arup and SIIC to work together on future sustainable development projects.

“This latest agreement with SIIC reaffirms the intention of both parties to find ways of overcoming the challenges of creating sustainable cities—not just at Dongtan, but elsewhere in China,” said Arup Director Peter Head. “Significant global climate change, environmental issues, water shortages and the need for the use of cleaner and renewable energy demand the creation of a new approach to urban development.”

“SIIC’s development of Dongtan will turn an 86-sq.-km (31.7 sq. miles) area into a sustainable eco-city,” explained Ma Chengliang, executive director of SIIC.“This latest agreement reflects our belief in the ability of Arup, as world-leading consultants, to deliver our vision of China as home to the world’s most ecologically-friendly urban developments.”

In summary, the new agreement states the following:

• The contract will be used as a model for Arup to be engaged by SIIC for future development projects.

• SIIC will appoint Arup as consultants for the planning and development phases of sustainable development projects to be considered by SIIC.

• Together with SIIC, Arup will develop a research program that SIIC can implement with local research partners on each of its development projects, which will enable best practice to be identified as early as possible for each development. Arup will collate the research results and input them as part of the Planning and Development Consultancy for future projects with the aim of increasing the value and effectiveness of delivery of SIIC’s objectives.

• SIIC is planning to join Arup’s program of offsetting carbon dioxide emissions that arise from their partnership work and an SIIC/Arup partnership website will be established for this purpose. The aim will be to establish SIIC development projects as verifiable renewable energy investments, as soon as possible.

• SIIC is considering employing Arup to provide support to the preparation of its Annual Report, helping to implement international standards of Corporate Social Responsibility reporting.

Arup signed the original contract with SIIC on Aug. 28 to undertake the integrated master planning of the built environment for Dongtan, which is situated on Chongming Island, the third largest island in China, near Shanghai at the mouth of the Yangtze River. SIIC is planning to turn Chongming Island into an eco-island, and Dongtan as a model eco-friendly area.

Do you have experience and expertise with the topics mentioned in this content? You should consider contributing to our WTWH Media editorial team and getting the recognition you and your company deserve. Click here to start this process.