Caofeidian International Eco-city will be:
· An attractive and open city that draws people from all over the world for business activity or tourist visits.
· An innovative city where higher education, science, research and culture are the driving forces of the city development.
· A city with a growing economy that simulates small and new businesses.
· A liveable and inclusive city where people of all kinds enjoy a high quality of living. · A city with a prosperous local culture that is rich in cultural expression. －Spatial Goals for Caofeidian International Eco-City
Caofeidian International Eco-city will be:
· A city with efficient land use and reasonable structures.
· A city with high quality architecture and urban environments.
· A compact city with mixed uses that is rich in diversity.
· A city with a rich visual expression and city districts with different character. · A city with an urban pedestrian environment with rich qualities.
According to the ISO-standard goals are qualitative while objectives and targets should be quantitative and possible to measure. There is a spatial hierarchy as well where goals are expressed on a relatively higher spatial
level and objectives and targets on a lower spatial level. Strategies aim at achieveing objectives and targets. Indicators are analytical tools to measure achievements in relation to objectives and targets.
Key indicators are those selected from the whole range of indicators according to their importance. Some chosen key indicators are as follows:
(1) Urban population density: 300－400 people per hectare (medium density) including no. of workplaces and no. of inhabitants per hectare A high or relatively high population density in an area is necessary to establish service functions and create public life. Population density will vary in different town districts.
(2) Local accessibility to service: 100 % of housing with basic service functions within 400 meters. Basic service includes primary health services (general practitioner), public schools (compulsory attendance schools), food stores and public transportation.
(3) Functional mix: 80% of all blocks should be mixed-use No. of residents/no. of workplaces ranging from 80/20 to 20/80. Mix of functions including cultural facilities, social services, recreational services, Eco-City central functions, commercial service, transportation services and other functions.
(4) Block size: Basic blocks of 220x220 meters should be divisible into 60-100 m plots Small block sizes is a fundamental feature to achieve a fine meshed mix and a fine meshed local road structure for pedestrians and bicyclists.
(5) Non motorised local transports: >50% of local travels by foot or bicycle in relation to all local trips (travelled km distance). Indicator 10 and 11 highlight tentative necessary target levels to reach goals to reduce energy demand and carbon dioxide from transportation.
(6) Energy demand: 10 000 kWh/inhabitant, year (Total energy consumption per capita including transportation; excluding industry). The target level is half of the Swedish current level.
(7) Renewable energy: 95 % renewable energy of total primary energy consumption. To reach the target level of renewable energy a mixture of wind power, tidal power and surplus heat from the industrial area is suggested.
(8) Recycling: > 80% waste to recycling (recycling of material and recycling of biodegradable food waste nutrients) and energy recovery.
(9) Recycling to agriculture: >80% of generated food waste to biological treatment , for nutrient and energy recovery.
(10)
Water consumption: < 120 litre/person, day average water . A moderate water consumption is necessary due to the general water shortage in the province as well as to decrease energy demand.
(11)
Storm water collection: 75% of yearly amount of storm water being stored. Due to water shortage storm water is a valuable water resource.
(12)
Separated wet sanitation: 90%－95 % of buildings buildings with separated black water/grey water solutions. This will improve the resource extraction (energy, nutrients) and reduce the energy consumption, compared to conventional wastewater treatment.
(13)
Public green: 20% per capita public space including green spaces and markets places. (14)
Accessibility to public space including green spaces: 100% of housing reaching public space and green spaces within 500 m.
5.Conclusions
Indicators are based on a reductionist principle, to \complexity in order to make problems quantifiable and communicable\as well as a weakness. Analyses can be concentrated to a selection of validated indicators, avoiding resource consuming analyses. Overview, bench marking and communication is facilitated. Drawbacks with reductionist approaches is the risk of a simplified understanding. Therefore indicators need to be supported and complemented with profound analyses and sound planning processes striving for transparency and communication.
Indicators for sustainability review on the smaller scale, of the project level and city district level, is a field of knowledge that is less developed compared to monitoring indicators on a larger geographical scale (Dobbelsteen & Wilde 2004a, Wong 2006).
A wellknown methodological problem related to using indicators for sustainability reviews on a small geographical scale is the lack of useful tools for measurement and lack of statistic data on a disaggregate level. There are also difficulties in establishing unambiguous empirical correlations between spatial factors and patterns of behaviour.
Selecting planning indicators is neither a simple or exact activity. Selection is made based on normative intentions to shape the future and comprehensive theories for example of correlations between built structure and behaviour as well as scientific knowledge. Due to mentioned methodological problems the task requires balancing what is theoretically sound with what is useful in practice.
In the Caofeidian Eco-City project indicators were developed in an iterative process that was also an integrated part of the planning- and design process. The SymbioCity conceptual model, which is a comprehensive model that systematically addresses sustainability challenges, was used as a starting point and indicators were selected and further developed in a combined top-down and bottom-up approach involving Swedish and Chinese experts and local leaders. During the process there were many opportunities to bench mark Swedish and Chinese standards as well as developing mutual understanding and learning.
Hopefully this process has helped gain trust in that Indicator System of Caofeidian International Eco-City in fact can guide and support the process of planning and design, production and operating the Eco-City to fulfil the overall vision; to be a world renowned, modern, people-focused, prosperous, climate-neutral and environmentally sustainable society.□
Reference:
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5. SIDA. The Sustainable City Approach. 2007
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7. Sternudd, C. Images of the small town - about esthetical evaluation of a city type. The University of Lund (in Swedish), 2007
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