Zhong-Ren PENG
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Chair, International Association for China Planning; Professor, College of Design, Construction and Planning, University of Florida, Gainesville |
Abstract
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Key Note |
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The speed of urbanization in China is unprecedented, which has created enormous problems for both Chinese cities and rural areas to accommodate this rapid process. Cities are under tremendous pressure to accommodate immense inflow of rural populations while rural areas are losing valuable workforces and in constant decline. This has considerable consequences: urban sprawl, traffic congestion, affordable housing and increased disparity of urban and rural areas, to name a few, which demand careful planning and policies. This presentation first depicts the problems associated with the rapid urbanization, then describes the Chinese government s efforts in addressing these issues, and finally offers some comments about the effectiveness of Chinese government policies and practices in dealing with the rapid urbanization process. Specifically, three major issues will be discussed: (1) the expansion of urban development, particularly the development patterns in urban fringes, and land use policies to combat urban sprawl; (2) urban transportation problems and associated urban transportation policies; (3) the increased disparity between urban and rural areas and the coordinated urban and rural development policies and practice. |
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Shiling ZHENG
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Professor and Director, Institute of Architecture and Urban Space, Tongji University, Shanghai |
Abstract
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Key Note |
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The urbanization in China has been undergone a complicated situation since 1960s, and then in a rapid urbanization period in 1980s and 1990s. The hard infrastructure is mainly the focus for urbanization. An ideal city is becoming the key point of urban development strategy after EXPO. The re-urbanization is a special debate upon the Chinese situation, it is the restructure and reflection of the urban space and modernization. The Chinese urbanization is relating to the quality of urban space and the urban space structure, it is relating to the development of rural area too. The urbanization model in China has to be rethought and investigated for the future sustainable development. |
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Hermann KNOFLACHER
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Professor, Institute for Transport Studies, Department of Transport Planning and Traffic Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna |
Abstract
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Sozialisierung der Gesellschaft auf engem Raum, wirtschaftliche Optimierung der inneren und benachbarten Ressourcen und Kooperation waren die Voraussetzungen nachhaltiger urbaner Kulturen. Diese Städte waren das Ergebnis Jahrhunderte langer Lernprozesse insbesondere auch ihrer Baukultur nach menschlichem Maß. Dazu reichte die evolutionäre Ausstattung der Menschen, nicht aber, um die durch die seit dem 19. Jahrhundert entstehenden technischen Veränderungen nachhaltig in den Organismus einer Stadt zu integrieren. Die Zeit des Lernens aus Fehlern war zu kurz, die Fehlerfortpflanzung durch gut gemeinte Vorstellungen zu schnell. Die Stadtentwicklung heute vergrößert durch gut gemeinte aber selten gute Lösungen die Probleme, anstatt sie zu verkleinern. Es fehlt an Kenntnissen über das Baumaterial einer nachhaltigen Stadt: dem und den Menschen. |
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Cornelia VOSPERNIK
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Journalist and Presenter, Ö1 Journals and ORF Weltjournal, ORF - Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, Vienna |
Abstract
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Rural development in China equals massive urbanisation. While China is developing, the authorities want to prevent even more people moving to the big centres on the East coast and the Southeast (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Shenzhen) which are already reaching the limits of their development. The urban planning focus is not only shifting to around 23 so called second-tier cities, but towards 3rd tier cities, each also with a population of around 1 million people that could grow into cities of 3 million each by 2020. By 2030, it is estimated that 70% of the Chinese population will live in cities, compared to the current 47% . The Chinese authorities are actively promoting the development of the West, which covers more than 70% of the Chinese land mass but only 28% of its population. Urban development is even believed to be a big driver of growth. It comes at a huge human and environmental cost, as urbanisation comes with forced relocations and also takes place in areas which are lacking natural resources, above all, water. |
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Andreas BRAUN
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Chief Executive Officer, d. swarovski tourism services gmbh, Wattens |
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Chair |
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