Forum in Tianjin Binhai New Area on cutting-edge urban design

The fourth China (Binhai Tianjin) International Eco-city Forum and Expo kicks off on Sunday in the Binhai New Area of Tianjin.

Begun in 2010 with the permanent theme of "Eco-city creates harmonious future", the event includes exhibitions and conferences along with the most advanced technologies, new products and current news and information.

"It has become a platform for discussions on the idea of the eco-city as well as an equally significant stage for showcasing eco-civilization," said Yang Shihao, deputy chief of the Binhai New Area.

"It offers an alternative approach to building eco-cities in China."

In response to the 18th CPC National Congress that advocated "promoting eco-civilization and building a beautiful China", the forum will focus on new approaches to urbanization.

Developing sustainable, livable cities and promoting green urbanization, as well as exchanges of experience and opportunities in urbanization and eco-city development will be discussed.

Yang said the annual event will become a cradle for a creative cluster of eco-city models, organizations and alliances providing inspiration and solutions for building eco-cities around the world.

More than 100 experts and scholars will attend the event to share their insights.

Experts include Michael R. Hoffmann from the US National Academy of Engineering and James Irvine Environmental Science, California Institute of Technology, and Gustav R. Grob, president and co-founder of the International Renewable Energy Consortium.

Some 1,000 delegates from more than 40 countries and regions are expected to attend the forum and the expo.

The expo can house 1,500 regular display stands in an overall exhibition area of 37,000 square meters.

It will offer separate exhibition zones for green building and energy saving, the cyclic economy, eco-city experiences, eco-city models and the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city.

According to Yang, more than 100 noted enterprises will display their new technologies and products, so the expo will also serve as a platform for business opportunities .

"Eco-city models from Washington, Quebec City, Dalian, Xiamen and Karamay will be exhibited and provide alternative approaches to building green and livable cities," said Yang.

"The dual events of a forum and expo of this year will be quite different from past years," said Yang.

He said that the event has guiding principles to be professional and effective, serving both as an exhibition and a trade forum that is operated by the government but influenced by the market.

Alternative way

The eco-city could become a trend around the world, but today it is still an alternative way to live and prosper.

The concept calls for a broader perspective and deeper international cooperation around the world to better guide China on the road toward eco-city building, said the deputy chief.

"The event will be a place where we can learn from the world and reflect on our own experience," he said. "It's also where we can meet with institutions, enterprises and experts from around the world and seek cooperation opportunities.

"We are all trying our best to create a green and harmonious future for China. The annual event means so much here."

Julong Group, one of the biggest palm oil producers in China, will also join the expo this year.

"Eco-cities depend on the development of the ecological companies, and the expo provides us with a platform to pass along our ecological building concept to the outside world," said Sun Weijun, deputy Party chief of Julong.

"At the same time, it gives us an opportunity to show our corporate responsibility ."

Yang Feiyue and Tian Bing contributed to the story.

fuchao@chinadaily.com.cn

Tianjin's deputy mayor and head of the Tianjin Binhai New Area Zong Guoying (second right) inspects the preparations for the fourth China (Tianjin Binhai) International Eco-city Forum and Expo on Saturday. Nico Jia / for China Daily

Cherry apple blossoms in full bloom at a community in Binhai New Area. Provided to China Daily

(China Daily 09/15/2013 page8)