The world’s first eco-city is coming up in Dongtan, the third largest island in China at the mouth of the Yangtze River. The sustainable city is not just environmental friendly but also socially, economically and culturally.

Designed by ARUP for the Shanghai Industrial Investment Corporate (SIIC), they aim to bring out the city which will consume less energy and emit a low carbon emission.
The 8,600 hectare (86 square kilometer) site is adjacent to wetland of global importance.

The city will comprise two areas one completely urbanized and the other is used for agricultural purpose, thus creating a buffer zone to manage wetland between the city and the ‘natural’ wetland.

This city will produce energy by itself for it consumption from wind, solar, bio-fuel and recycled city waste. The public transport will use the hydrogen fuel cells. The city will have network of cycle and footpaths that will help the city to achieve close to zero vehicle emissions.

Almost all the building in this city is featured to have sustainability, every building are constructed to use less energy as possible and all of them will incorporate daylight control system, which will help to reduce energy consumption. The public spaces were people gather together will have waste management systems that will ensure waste are collected and recycled.

Dongtan site will have a farmland that will use organic methods to grow foods. The city will have green ‘corridors’ of public space ensuring a high quality of life for residents. The city’s design will possibly attract more employment across country and hope that people will choose to live and work there.

Dongtan demonstrates to the world China’s ability to work closely with the environment and has provided a methodology for sustainable communities across China and beyond.

Source: Arup.com