Environmental Rehabilitation in a Rapidly Developing Urban Area

PUBLICATION DATE:

Sunday, November 01, 2009

PUBLICATION TYPE:

Case Studies

STATUS:

Available

DESCRIPTION:

In the late 1980s, Xiamen aimed to be an "SEZ (Special Economic Zone) which is economically prosperous, and has advanced science and technologies, a beautiful environment, and a high degree of social civilization, and which implements certain policies of a free port" by 2000. In the mid-1990s, Xiamen envisioned a "socialist, modern, international, and scenic port city" by 2000. It has certainly achieved these. Xiamen's incorporation of sustainability considerations in its pursuit of development has delivered results and won it many awards: the 1997 National Model City for Environment Protection, the 2002 International Garden City Award, the 2004 UN Habitat Scroll of Honor Award, the 2005 National Sanitary City Award, and China's 2005 Top Ten Livable Cities Award. Xiamen has not only become more sustainable, its beauty has also attracted immigrants, tourists, and real estate development. A sense of pride in the beauty of their city has also grown in Xiamen's people.