Green is the New Black
In search of an alternative vision for eco-city development in China
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Abstract
The world’s population is set to reach 9.7 billion by 2050 – up from 7.2 billion in 2012 (UN News Center). That global population will be a vastly urban one. The increasing demand for supplying the future urban dwellers and the threatening climate change have posed the question about our current urban development model. Our urbanization has exacerbated the adverse impacts of climate change, which has already exposed the residents of some cities to problems like air and water pollution, flooding and decreasing biodiversity. Major Chinese cities are suffering from these impacts. At this crucial moment, China is facing industrial transformation, political and economic reform, and drastic environmental problems. It is a good time to review the past experience in China’s effort building sustainable cities, which are also known as Eco-Cities. This thesis research focuses on the discussion and reflection on Chinese Eco-cities and also expands to general sustainable discourse. For me, it is an important ‘lesson learning’ moment to understand the dilemma and opportunities in the exploration of a new approach of developing a greener future.