Seminar: Pathways to Urban Sustainable Development in China
Seminar: Pathways to Urban Sustainable Development in China
Led by: , Associate Professor, Shanghai Jiaotong University
Abstract:
The world is experiencing fast urbanization, with cities and towns accounting for 57% of the world鈥檚 population in 2022. In China, it will reach 70% within five years. Rapid urbanization and industrialization bring increasing demands to cities for energy, resources, food, and water, as well as environmental problems such as carbon emission, air pollution, overloaded waste disposal systems, etc. In the past 40 years, China鈥檚 reform and opening-up policy has enabled cities to make significant contributions to national economic growth. However, development comes at a cost. This lecture will focus on China's pathways to urban sustainability and green transition. Also, I will tell China鈥檚 story from three main areas: industrial symbiosis and waste management, regional environmental impact assessments, and green transition in China. Through this, I hope to provide a lens into China鈥檚 journey toward urban sustainable development鈥攁 journey filled with lessons, challenges, and opportunities.