Anne Zhang

    zhangy49@gmail.com

    WHEN Dutch entrepreneur Albert Fischer arrived at a new ecological development on Longgang District’s Pingdi Subdistrict yesterday morning, he initially was not attracted to a cluster of strikingly new buildings among aging factories and houses.

    But after looking around the area, he said he became totally overwhelmed by the green technologies applied in every detail of the new development’s facilities.

    The development is called Shenzhen International Low-Carbon City and is a leading project of the sustainable urbanization cooperation between China and the European Union, designed to demonstrate China’s achievement in low-carbon technology.

    The area features energy-saving buildings, well-designed plazas and gardens, along with bars, coffee shops, restaurants and hotels converted from used shipping containers. With a planned area of 53 square kilometers, the ecological development is drawing the world’s attention as the first Shenzhen International Low-Carbon City Forum opened there yesterday.

    Low-carbon buildings

    The project was initiated last August. Construction of the first seven projects, which cover 6 square kilometers, has been completed. The projects include a conference and exhibition center, river remediation and renovations of Hakka houses.

    The conference center is arguably the most eye-catching building in the development. Regarded as a zero-pollution building complex, the center incorporates 10 green systems and 78 low-carbon technologies.

    Fischer, who runs a business involved in clean energy investment, said he was particularly impressed by the energy-saving and recycling technologies used at the conference center.

    The center’s roof is covered with solar panels that can handle half of the center’s power consumption. Lush vegetation can be moved around to form different patterns and trails down most sides of the building, freshening the air and helping regulate the building’s temperature and humidity.

    A cooling system that became popular in the Shanghai World Expo in 2010 is also implemented in the center. The system emits micro spray particles to cool and humidify the building, suppress dust and create more negative oxygen ions.

    In addition, the center uses a special sewage disposal system and has a restaurant that’s staffed by robots to reduce pollution.

    Building renovations

    Many old factories and homes in the area have been renovated with green features.

    Buildings that used to be dilapidated have been spruced up with environmentally friendly paint in cream and beige colors, forming a huge double-helix pattern.

    On the south bank of the Dingshan River are some old, round Hakka houses that, after renovations, now have a new look that preserves their traditional features. Some will be converted into distinctive hostels, small offices, canteens, coffee shops and tea houses. Others will be developed into cultural clubs or creative cultural venues.

    “From traditional Hakka houses to modern green buildings, we hope visitors can experience the evolution of civilization and sustainable development,” a Longgang District official said.

    Green practices

    Green practices can be spotted everywhere in the development.

    The roads are designed with a drainage system that can collect and purify rainwater for reuse. Discarded steel is made into statues to decorate plazas and gardens, and deserted tree stumps become part of the landscape or serve as chairs.

    On the plaza of the conference and exhibition center are courtyard houses, hotels, bars and coffee shops made from used shipping containers. The practice saved building materials and other resources and helped cut tremendous carbon emissions.

    About 20 electric buses and 30 electric taxis are available for guests traveling between hotels, parking lots and the conference center. It’s estimated that the green transportation will save more than 500 tons of gasoline and cut carbon emissions by about 1,300 tons a year.

    Electronic devices such as smartphones, computers and panel PCs are used as much as possible to reduce paper consumption, officials said.

    Another important project is the remediation of the Dingshan River, which runs through the area and used to be heavily polluted. The Longgang District Government began cleanup efforts earlier this year. By collecting and treating sewage upstream, the local government has turned the river into a beautiful, scenic border for the ecological development.

    “This Low-Carbon City is very important for Shenzhen’s future and will be an example for China’s sustainable development,” Fischer said.