Mapping a Green Future —Webinars on Urban Planning under the Park City Initiative
According to the UN, 55% of the world’s population lives in urban areas. And this figure is expected to rise to 68% by 2050. Cities are the main actors in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. And metropolises are playing a decisive role. It is important that big cities around the globe work together to collect lessons learned and exchange new strategies and initiatives to improve the quality of life of its residents and seek sustainable and future-oriented development.
In the face of development and environmental challenges posed by rapid urban expansion, Chengdu, the capital of Southwest China’s Sichuan Province with a population of 20 million, officially launched its Park City Initiative in early 2018 to explore a holistic and forward-looking approach to plan its future development, revitalize its old centers and direct its residents to a greener and healthier lifestyle.
A park city explores a future version of cities that highlight a people-centered green development path. With a five-tier structure composed of industrial functional areas, urban areas, park communities, park blocks, picturesque village settings, and buildings on the thousands of miles of greenway, the city looks into creating scenes of sports, culture, entertainment, and develop the new economy and business models.
At the first edition of the webinar in May 2021 on ‘Mapping a Green Future: Urban Planning under the Park City Initiative’ organised by Metropolis Learning Hub Chengdu with the support of Chengdu Institute of Planning and Design, participants will hear responses from government and civil society representatives, leaders, city planners and managers on city planning, how can planning shape green development and improve the quality of living, and how is a park city creating green jobs and directing citizens to an eco-friendly lifestyle.
This will be an interactive two-session webinar following a problem-driven and solution-oriented methodology. Participants will be able to exchange their best practices and work out creative solutions.
Learn more here: https://www.metropolis.org/sessions/mapping-green-future-urban-planning-under-park-city-initiative
DRAFT PROGRAM:
DAY 1 "City-wide plans and initiatives towards a sustainable future"
20.05.2021 - 10.00am CET
- Opening Remarks by Metropolis and Chengdu
- Round of Introductions by MC and all the speakers
- Keynote 1: Introduction of Chengdu’s Park City Initiative by Chengdu FAO
What is a Park City? How are the priorities of Chengdu’s urban planning shifting in the face of new urbanization challenges? What are the challenges?
Topic 1: Revitalization of Old Centers
- Keynote 2: Urban Renewal of Chengdu’s Mengzhuiwan Block by Chengdu Institute of Planning and Design
How new urban planning brought the declining Mengzhuiwan area, a flourishing riverside block in the 1990s which bears a lot of sweet childhood memories of many Chengdu citizens, back to life.
- Presentation from a representative of Metropolis member (name TBC)
- Presentation from a representative of Metropolis member (name TBC)
- Presentation from a representative of Metropolis member (name TBC)
- Questions & Answers
- Wrap up Day 1
Register here for Day 1: https://metropolis-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cZ4sw5GgSwWQ-3JwkR7KOQ
DAY 2 "Daring Solutions to secure a greener urban future"
21.05.2021 - 10.00 am CET
- Institutional Welcome
Topic 2: Creating Green Jobs
- Keynote 1: Tianfu Greenway and Greenway Economy by Chengdu Tianfu Greenway Investment Group Ltd.
As one of the star projects under Chengdu’s Park City Initiative, the citywide three-tier Tianfu Greenway System has now become the arteries and veins of the city, linking together parks, nature reserves, and cultural and historical sites across the community. Centered on these greenways, together with the municipal government, the Tianfu Greenway Investment Group Ltd. adopts a scene-based approach to boost the economy of the surrounding areas by creating space for entertainment, sports, consumption, etc.
- Presentation from a representative of Metropolis member (name TBC)
Topic 3: Creating Green Communities and Increasing Citizen Engagement
- Keynote 2: Community Management and Citizen Engagement- Case of LuxLake Community by a resident representative from Luxlakes Community
The LuxLake Community is an apartment complex in Chengdu’s Tianfu New Area which seamlessly integrates residential, business, recreation and entertainment areas in a lakeside environment. Its open and easily accessible water landscape and green spaces give a variety of possibilities for community life. Residents in the LuxLake formed their community council and foundation with assistance and support from both the government and the real estate company. Over 500 events are organised by the community to facilitate efforts in waste management, water management, emergency response, etc., with a staggeringly high participation of residents.
- Presentation from a representative of Metropolis member (name TBC)
- Presentation from a representative of Metropolis member (name TBC)
- Questions & Answers
- Wrap-up
Register here for Day 2: https://metropolis-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6bIxFegER8q5l4KUQhG67w
Who should attend
- Local Governments officials (urban planning offices; environment offices)
- Practitioners and experts
- City Managers
- Urban planning students or researchers