China: sustainable urbanisation - training Chinese Mayors
Published 6 November 2014
© Crown copyright 2014
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/china-sustainable-urbanisation-training-chinese-mayors/china-sustainable-urbanisation-training-chinese-mayors
This publication was archived on 4 July 2016
This article is no longer current. Please refer to Overseas Business Risk - China
Summary
Urbanisation in China continues apace: notwithstanding the huge impacts on the environment, human health and the economy. But last week, the Prosperity Fund supported a delegation of UK planning experts to train 30 Chinese Mayors. This was a platform for British companies, NGOs and local government to argue for a balance between sustainability and economic growth, and the need to involve local communities.
Detail
The Chinese model of urbanisation has driven much of its economic success. But the cracks are showing. Cities are expanding fast, causing congestion, inefficiency, increased energy use and emissions. Urban density has fallen by 25% over the past decade, according to the World Bank. And the emergence of ‘ghost’ cities, malls and airports, as cities expand beyond their economic potential can be a serious concern for the local economy as well as a PR problem.
Chinese mayors are key decision-makers on urban development, but influencing them is not easy in a country which already has more than 140 cities where the population is above 1 million. Mayors are rightly suspicious of foreign governments wanting to promote their business interests, and we have had to move cautiously.
By forging links between the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA, a UK NGO) and the National Academy of Mayors of China, supported by the FCO’s Prosperity Fund, we set up a training workshop for Chinese mayors. Thirty Mayors attended - representing cities with a combined population of 100 million. The aim was to explain the UK model of sustainable urbanisation, and how it could relate to China.
The workshop, was held in the Mayors’ Hotel. There was genuine interest. It was hard to ignore a Council Leader, a Council head of Planning, an NGO and two business, all giving consistent messages about the need to balance sustainability and liveability with economic growth.
A particular highlight was when the Leader of Cambridge city council, circulated his Chinese language leaflet about sustainable transport. , featuring himself as acommuter in in full cycling regalia. Was this a publicity stunt or did he really cycle?, a Mayor from Inner Mongolia wanted to know. Lewis confirmed he cycled every day except in heavy rain – in fact cars were not allowed in the city centre.
Another highlight was hearing Newham’s Director of Planning talk about the need to attract investment to regenerate the London Docklands, building on the success of the Olympics, and keeping developing high-quality, liveable, and sustainable. They had a difficult starting point, she said showing them a photograph of the Docks in the 1950s. There were nods of recognition round the room.
Comment
Every mayor walked away with an Atkins publication, endorsed by the central Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, explaining how to plan more sustainably. Every mayor heard a Chinese-British urban planner talk about the benefits of the UK model, showcasing our city successes.
Disclaimer
The purpose of the FCO Country Update(s) for Business (”the Report”) prepared by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is to provide information and related comment to help recipients form their own judgments about making business decisions as to whether to invest or operate in a particular country. The Report’s contents were believed (at the time that the Report was prepared) to be reliable, but no representations or warranties, express or implied, are made or given by UKTI or its parent Departments (the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)) as to the accuracy of the Report, its completeness or its suitability for any purpose. In particular, none of the Report’s contents should be construed as advice or solicitation to purchase or sell securities, commodities or any other form of financial instrument. No liability is accepted by UKTI, the FCO or BIS for any loss or damage (whether consequential or otherwise) which may arise out of or in connection with the Report.