Comments on: what has become of china’s eco-cities? http://www.sustainablechina.info/2009/01/08/chinas-eco-cities/ researching religious values for ecological sustainability Sat, 07 Jan 2012 17:20:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Wolf http://www.sustainablechina.info/2009/01/08/chinas-eco-cities/comment-page-1/#comment-694 Wolf Mon, 20 Sep 2010 10:19:59 +0000 http://www.sustainablechina.info/?p=193#comment-694 This case confirms my belief that sustainability won't be integrated into society without appropriate accountability and transparency. We tend to think that sustainability is solely a matter of implanting eco-friendly devices ... but it is like planting a tree in a rotten soil ... the tree will not survive. Our politics see economic opportunities in the ecological trend by using old capitalistic roots (yep China may be Communist, it is still relying on capitalism for its economy). Anyways, accounting might be the only way to rebuild trust in such projects, but we need trustworthy leaders. This case confirms my belief that sustainability won’t be integrated into society without appropriate accountability and transparency. We tend to think that sustainability is solely a matter of implanting eco-friendly devices … but it is like planting a tree in a rotten soil … the tree will not survive. Our politics see economic opportunities in the ecological trend by using old capitalistic roots (yep China may be Communist, it is still relying on capitalism for its economy). Anyways, accounting might be the only way to rebuild trust in such projects, but we need trustworthy leaders.

]]> By: Pariuri http://www.sustainablechina.info/2009/01/08/chinas-eco-cities/comment-page-1/#comment-475 Pariuri Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:49:19 +0000 http://www.sustainablechina.info/?p=193#comment-475 Fantastic read here. I feel regret that this endeavour is no longer being pursued hotly. I've been perhaps over-optimistic that more and more countries and cities would start incorporating eco-friendly building principals so it is very concerning that this much hyped and anticipated project is not often adhered to. Still, there's ample hope for the future. Fantastic read here. I feel regret that this endeavour is no longer being pursued hotly. I’ve been perhaps over-optimistic that more and more countries and cities would start incorporating eco-friendly building principals so it is very concerning that this much hyped and anticipated project is not often adhered to. Still, there’s ample hope for the future.

]]> By: Aero http://www.sustainablechina.info/2009/01/08/chinas-eco-cities/comment-page-1/#comment-373 Aero Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:35:10 +0000 http://www.sustainablechina.info/?p=193#comment-373 I was told by the Minister of MOHURD from China that the island has more than 200 unique species and was clearly marked as a non-development zone for whatsoever. Arup and whoever just ignored the polocies and chose to take a gamble to create an overrated "eco" scheme in a very valuable and vulneruble natrual reserve. This made MOHURD furious and now publicly use this as a bad example of eco-development. The myth about "local poliical issues" is probably made up by Arups and UK relevant parties to bury their embarresment,though they still use this as an example of British Eco Design. To export expertise you really need to respect local polocies and local culture. And in the event it failed, you should check yourselves and make sure you never make up stories because once it's disclosed, you are finished. This is a lesson for all, especially those who want to work in China. Respect the rules, don't be stupid. I was told by the Minister of MOHURD from China that the island has more than 200 unique species and was clearly marked as a non-development zone for whatsoever. Arup and whoever just ignored the polocies and chose to take a gamble to create an overrated “eco” scheme in a very valuable and vulneruble natrual reserve. This made MOHURD furious and now publicly use this as a bad example of eco-development.

The myth about “local poliical issues” is probably made up by Arups and UK relevant parties to bury their embarresment,though they still use this as an example of British Eco Design.

To export expertise you really need to respect local polocies and local culture. And in the event it failed, you should check yourselves and make sure you never make up stories because once it’s disclosed, you are finished.

This is a lesson for all, especially those who want to work in China. Respect the rules, don’t be stupid.

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