Towards Sustainable Cities

Part of the programme of events for “London Week” in Shanghai is two days of seminars (Wednesday 28 - Thursday 29 July).

The first seminars is ‘Towards Sustainable Cities Eco-Networks: Policy and Research Frontiers for Sustainable Cities’ and the second is ‘Towards Sustainable Cities Opportunities for the Business Community’.

The objectives of the two day programme are:

1. Develop a vision for delivering sustainable cities.
2. Examine the most advanced sustainable solutions in both UK and China.
3. Identify the main business opportunities in the development and delivery of sustainable cities.

The first seminar was delivered in partnership with Econetworks, Institute for Sustainability (IfS) and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).

Senior Chinese and UK figures from academia and business, including Professor Brian Collins, Chief Scientific Advisor for the Departments for Transport (DfT) and Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and Mr WANG Zhixue, Deputy Secretary General from MOST led the meeting discussion.

Different perspectives in UK and China towards urban developments were shared with an agreement that the key challenge is preserving heritage whilst building for a future that will be equally valued.

In China there is a strong respect for balance and harmony and this perspective is critical when approaching sustainable cities. Key to achieving successful and sustainable cities is to share and learn from best practice around the world.

During the networking event at URBN, Shanghai’s first zero carbon hotel, the Urban Buzz Book, a publication created by University College London (UCL) on best practice was launched.

Thursday will see the second day of this series and focuses on the business opportunities surrounding sustainable cities and culminate with a presentation on the London opportunities around the Royal Docks and the Green Enterprise District.