China Sustainable City Program
/ VARIOUS CITIES IN CHINA / FROM 2008 -
PROJECT: SUSTAINABLE PLANNING PROGRAM CLIENT: THE ENERGY FOUNDATION
Since 2008 Gehl Architects has been collaborating with the Energy Foundation in Beijing focusing on sustainable city development -environmental, social and economic.
152%
more people engaging in
stationary activities in small scale traditional areas than on the large contemporary shopping street called Jie Fang Bei.
CAPACITY BUILDING / BEST PRACTICE
The Gehl team provides key note lectures at several regional and national conferences about sustainable urban development and mobility.
Above: Gehl team Working on site with local planners.
The China Sustainable Transportation Center (CSTC) is a non-governmental,
Build Capacity
non-profit organization founded and supported by The William and Flora Hewlett
Capacity Building has always been key to our collaboration, as we want to
Foundation and The Energy Foundation. The goal of the Energy Foundation
empower the China Sustainable Transport Center (CSTC), politicians, decisions
is a more sustainable China. Since Gehl Architects have been involved, a
makers and local planners to improve their methods and approach to planning
Sustainable City Program has been added to the CSTC program, focusing on
liveable and sustainable cities in a Chinese context. We utilize lectures,
the clear links between urban development, public space, public transport and
workshops, study trips, and publications in order to build capacity in China and
sustainability - environmental, social and economic.
empower the CSTC.
As part of this commission Gehl Architects provide a variety of services to our
Implement Best Practice
Chinese collaborators in order to assist them in handling the rapid changes
To embed the knowledge and inspire the locals to take ownership of the
the Chinese cities are undergoing currently. The services include lectures and
sustainable planning approach, we have extended our initial educational
workshops with city officials, design reviews, development of documentation
masterclasses with project workshops for ongoing projects in a number of
and reports on best practice, pedestrian and bicycle strategies and toolboxes, as
cities. Rather than just delivering a plan, we collaborate on developing the plan
well as development of design guidelines and concrete pilot projects.
together with the local planners to ensure that the design, the principles and the strategy is understood and anchored. Projects in Guangzhou, Chongqing,
Gehl Architects have launched a strategy which will optimize our continuing
Kunming, Beijing, Shanghai and Kunshan have already been implemented or are
collaboration with the China Sustainable Transport Center (CSTC). Together
in process to be implemented.
we have many goals to reach and it is important to have a strong vision and a focused working process in order to achieve the necessary changes, both in
Change Policies
behaviour and in the physical sense, on the streets. Our continued focus is on
Ultimately our goal is to faciliate change and alter the Chinese policies on a
changing policies, building the necessary capacity for change, and implementing
local and national level. In order to achieve this goal, we belive that a close
Best Practice, for example via pilot projects that exemplify how great urban
collaboration with the local action groups and stakeholders is key and we nurish
spaces can look and what they can do.
these relationships through regular visits to the Chinese cities.
Gehl Architects · Urban Quality Consultants · Gl. Kongevej 1 · DK 1610 Copenhagen V · Denmark · www.gehlarchitects.dk