Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation

ANNEX II:

Application Form 2014 Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation

Please complete the following application form and return it to the Guangzhou Award Secretariat at [email protected] by June 30, 2014.

A. Profile of the Initiative Name of City/Community: Xining City Name of Province/State: Qinghai Province Name of Country/Region: China Africa (Sub-Saharan) Asia and Pacific √ Geographic Region (Please East and Central Europe select and tick one): Western Europe North Africa and Middle East North America Latin America & Caribbean Title, name and position of person(s) submitting: 1. 2. Basic City Data: Population size: 2,247,405 Surface Area:7,649 km² Population Density:294 people per km² GDP per capita:37,870 Yuan（$6208.2） GINI Index: Other: (please specify)

B. Title: Title or Slogan of the Initiative (25 words max.): Huangshui River Basin (Xining Segment) Comprehensive Treatment Project & “Clean Water Action”

Start date of the initiative: May, 2011

Tentative end date of the initiative: May, 2016

Thematic areas (please tick as appropriate):

 Social  Economic  Environmental  Governance/Management  Technology  Other (please specify)

C. Background Information

Describe the legislative or policy framework under which the initiative is taking place using, for example, a public policy document at the central or local government level, a policy statement, a covenant, compact or publicly recognized commitment. (80 words max.)

According to the “Rules of Control for Water Pollution of Qinghai Huangshui River Basin” that deliberated and approved by Standing Committee of Qinghai Provincial People’s Congress in September 2014, the objective of Party Committee and Government of Qinghai Province — to make the mother river of Qinghai clear at an early date, and the objective of building Qinghai into a pilot region of ecological progress, one of the strategic tasks of “three regions” that proposed in 2014 Qinghai Provincial People's Congress, Xining Municipal People’s Government started “Clean Water Action” to treat Huangshui river basin (Xining Segment) comprehensively.

D. Summary of the origins of the initiative:

Describe how the initiative came about and what challenges or issues of sustainable development it is meant to address using the following lead questions as your guide (350 words max).

1. Describe briefly the reason(s) for undertaking the initiative including challenge(s) or issues confronting the city/region/community. Include where relevant number of people, enterprises or institutions affected.

With a total water resource of 2.55 billion m³, Huangshui river is the largest branch in the upstream of Yellow River. As the mother river of Qinghai, she is the important basis of subsistence and development of Qinghai People. Nearly 60% of the population, 52% of the farmland and more than 70% of the industrial and mining enterprises of the province are located in Huangshui river basin. The river also plays a key role in the economic development of Qinghai. The pollution of Huangshui river was increasingly serious along with rapid urbanization and economic growth. The water quality was worse than Grade V. Shortage and pollution of the river water was obvious. According to the relevant data in environmental statistics and monitor results of Xiaoxiakou station, pollutant from Xining city has a decisive impact on the water quality of Haidong Segment and the whole Huangshui river. Huangshui river basin (Xining Segment) was confronted with following problem: First, sewage was discharged directly through outlets in suburb; Second, water volume was seasonally insufficient. Riverway assimilative capacity declined. And reclaimed water reuse was not enough; Third, waste was dumped directly on the riverway. Earth was filled to reclaim. On riverside of main urban area, living condition was dirty and city infrastructure was imperfect；Fourth, gravitational erosion of mountain torrent channels around the river and engineering measures failing result in sediment falls directly into the river with rainwater.

2. Describe the goals of the initiative in terms of desired change or outcome and timeframe for achieving the change or outcome (for example, change in policy, strategy, business model, technology, means of implementation, financing arrangements,

measuring and evaluation, etc.)

2011-2012: years for basic works. Beginning with cleaning sand, carried out Sand Recourses Dredge Project, Integrated Riverway Management Project, Integrated Water Pollution Management Project and Core Segment Development Project to lay a foundation for Huangshui River Basin (Xining Segment) Comprehensive Treatment Project. 2013: Constructed floodwall on the river and branches. Restored the environment around the river. 9 management projects were planed to be carried out. 2014: year of implementation. Infrastructures and others were started to be constructed according to the plan. 2015: year of enriching and enhancing. Infrastructures and the treatment of four riverways will be basically completed. Core demonstration Segment — three branches (Nanchuan, Beichuan, Xichuan) will be constructed to be an integrated landscape, ecotype and economic centre. 2016: Green landscape ecological corridor composed of three branches and six banks of the river will be completed. Long-term institutionalized management will be implemented to realize the objective of “making Huangshui river basin (Xining Segment) clean, flowing, green and beautiful”. 3. List the principal parties and partners to the initiative (specify public, private, non-governmental, individual, etc.) and who is or was the leading partner(s) and the role they each played.

Governments and Relevant Departments The project responses to Qinghai Provincial Government and Xining Municipal Government’s call to develop green economy in Xining Qinghai. Governments give strong supports in policy, capital, and technology to ensure the project to be completed successfully. Huangshui River Basin (Xining Segment) Comprehensive Treatment Commission Xining Municipal Government set up the Huangshui River Basin (Xining Segment) Comprehensive Treatment Commission to be in charge of the project, the commission gathers various aspects’ strength and recruits professional and technical personnel from all over China. Public Participation Via website and newspapers, invited grassroots organization and the people to participate in plan discussion, field interviewing and questionnaire. In this way, extensively solicit ideas of the common people to make policies and the project more democratic. 4. Describe the resources used for implementing the initiative including funding/financing strategy or arrangements and Include any significant contributions that are not in cash, for example, in human, technical or managerial resources.

Capital：Qinghai Provincial Government and Xining Municipal Government use environmental infrastructure capital allocated by the state, as well as provincial and municipal financial fund on the control of sewage outlets and construction of sewage plants. Huangshui River Basin (Xining Segment) Comprehensive Treatment Commission also applies for loans from World Bank, China Development Bank and famous banks in Qinghai to manage the riverway, restore the environment and construct sewage pipe networks. The commission also invites investment and private capital to sewage management and river basin development. Technology：According to World Bank expert’s guidance, to introduce advanced technology LID (Low－Impact Development), and mainly adopt the reuse of reclaimed

water. The commission entrusted well-known domestic design institution to design the landscape of Huangshui river basin, meanwhile adopted the people’s ideas, and etc. In all these method to ensure the project completed successfully. Human Resources：In order to optimize the project, the commission entrusts World Bank expert to draw up a tailored environment comprehensive treatment plan, and recruits professional and technical personnel from all over China. E. Summary of the innovative aspect(s) of the initiative:

Describe the innovation for the initiative using the following lead questions as a guide (350 words max).

1. Describe whether the initiative should be considered evolutionary or revolutionary. Evolutionary would imply that innovation evolved over time based on lessons learned from experience and that the changes or outcomes are cumulative. Revolutionary would imply something quite new or something that has been borrowed from elsewhere but never been tried before in the sector or context in question and therefore bears a certain degree of risk.

The project is revolutionary. The transformation from single pollution control to comprehensive treatment composed of pollution prevention, ecological construction, landscape and leisure, as well as flood prevention and outflow realizes the strategy of new environment pattern in the whole Huangshui river basin. Meanwhile introduce advanced technology—LID (Low－Impact Development) to support the comprehensive treatment in technology. LID is a concept came up with by America in the late 1990s. By sporadic and small-scale source control mechanism and design technique, LID ecosystem controls storm runoff and pollution to restore the natural hydrologic cycle of target area. In 2009, Xining flood prevention system construction was basically completed, but still along with high sediment concentration and water pollution in riverway. Xining Municipal Government paid high attention, and entrusted World Bank expert to draw up a tailored environment comprehensive treatment plan to optimize the project. As a pilot, Beichuan river central area introduced the advanced international integrated management system and LID. Owe to above-mentioned technologies, rainwater immediate infiltration and subduction filtered pollutant on the city ground, greatly reduced volume of rainwater and pollutant discharged on the riverway. In addition, help relieve municipal pipe network pressure. 2. Describe where the innovation is being applied, for example, in policy or strategy; planning, design and implementation; business model or financing arrangement; tools and technology; governance and administration, etc.

First，the transformation from single pollution control to the comprehensive treatment composed of pollution prevention, ecological construction, landscape and leisure, as well as flood prevention and outflow realizes the strategy of new environment pattern in the whole Huangshui river basin. Second, set up a special institution which is in charge of river basin management, and then turn to commercial target. Third, tailored plans and World Bank’s advanced technology help improving the river basin environment. Scientifically and reasonably introduce two issues—economic policy and environmental implication into sewage collection and management and reuse of reclaimed

water, and establish the foundation for vigorous promoting reclaimed water in next step.

3. Describe whether the innovation was inspired or borrowed from other experiences and how was the linkage with the other experiences made. Similarly, describe whether other parties have benefited or are benefiting from your innovation and how? Party Committee and Government of Qinghai Province and Xining City constantly pay high attention to the Huangshui river management. In 2009, Xining had used World Bank Loan to carry out urban flood control and watershed management project. In view of the Huangshui river basin water pollution, the project not only did good to flood control but also benefited water quality improvement and environment protection, reversed the tendency of environmental degradation from source, and laid the foundation for the Huangshui River Basin(Xining Segment) Comprehensive Treatment Project & “Clean Water Action”. The project actively responds to the CPC Central Committee’s call for constructing “Beautiful China” and Xining City’s call for establishing national civilized cities, promotes tourism and economy development, improves the image and influence of Xining, plays a key role in Huangshui river basin treatment and Qinghai development, and gives back a comfortable living environment and clear mother river to Qinghai people. What’s more, the treated Huangshui river flowing from Qinghai to Gansu has a positive influence on the water quality of Yellow River in Lanzhou (Gansu province) Segment.

4. Describe whether there was or are any obstacles or resistance to the innovation and if so, how were/are they being overcome.

This is a project with strong social benefits. National special fund and provincial supporting funds is less than 50% of the project capital; therefore it has a great self-raised funds insufficiency and many historical loans. In order to relieve the pressure of the project construction, Xining looks for help from World Bank, domestic banks as well as collateral and pledge, while applying for more national special funds and provincial supporting funds to ensure the project to be completed successfully.

F. Summary of the desired change or outcome and how it is being measured

Describe how the initiative, and in particular the innovation, is or will be making a qualitative and/or quantitative change and how that change or outcome is being measured (350 words max)

1. What change(s) or outcome have you already achieved or hope to achieve. Please describe the nature of the change or outcome in, for example, improved quality of life; new levels of social, economic or environmental sustainability, including new attitudes and behaviour; improved efficiency, effectiveness, accountability or transparency, etc. Please also describe the scale of the change, for example, primarily local, regional, national or global. Lay the foundation by treat sand and sewage in one year; implement the project to show the framework in three years; complete the project and long-term management in five years. Water quality meet Grade IV functional standard. Realize the overall goal of making Huangshui river basin (Xining section) clean, flowing, green and beautiful.

Promote Xining economic development to create a prosperous life. Improve living environment to form a new pattern of water loving, green advocating and people pleasing. Create “career, tourism and pleasant” livable city and “energetic, substantial, charming and cohesive” happy city. Build three branches and six banks of the river a green landscape ecological corridor of ecological protection, green leisure, scenery spot, cultural platform and eco-environment restoration to attract travellers all over the world. Create the brand of “Livable City”, “Cool City—Xining” and “Travel Sanya in Winter, Xining in Summer”. 2. What measurements or metrics are you using to assess the change? Describe who is doing the measuring and who is using the measurements and how.

According to GB 3838—2002 (GHZBI) Grade Ⅲ Standard, limited values of total hardness, ammonia nitrogen, COD and hexavalent chromium are respectively 25, 1, 20, 0.05 mg/L. Limited value of PH is 6-9, electrical conductivity is 0.5×103μS/cm. Through the stated-control section set in Xiao Xiaokou area Huangshui river basin (Xining section), Xining Municipal Government and Huangshui River Basin (Xining section) Comprehensive Treatment Commission entrust monitoring institutions to investigate and monitor the implementing of projects, resettlement of inhabitant and the environment regularly and dutifully. Use single factor pollution index method to evaluate the water quality of Huangshui river (Xining section). Calculation formula: Pi=Ci/Si. Notes：Pi—the pollution index of the ith kind of pollutant in some section; Ci—the annual average value of the ith kind of pollutant in some section, mg/L; Si—the standard concentration of the ith kind of pollutant, mg/L. Test the water quality of Huangshui river to evaluate the results of Huangshui river treatment regularly. 3. Describe any specific tools or methods that were developed or applied to improve the chances or attaining the desired outcome or change, for example, new working methods, new data and information, new incentives or disincentives, new means of communications and knowledge, etc.

The “Rules of Control for Water Pollution of Qinghai Huangshui River Basin” that deliberated and approved by Standing Committee of Qinghai Provincial People’s Congress in September 2014 provides more targeted and operational legal protection for Huangshui river water pollution control. In order to strengthen Huangshui river pollution control, Xining implements the system that county level government officials who act as “river leaders” take charge of riverway water quality in their jurisdictions of Huangshui river (Xining section). Via website and newspapers, invite grassroots organizations and the people to participate in plan discussion, field interviewing and questionnaire. In this way, extensively solicit ideas of the common people to make policies and the projects more democratic.

4. How does the initiative and its intended change(s) or outcomes contribute to a new image or reputation for your city or community?

Improve the Environment and Happiness Index Solve the water quality problem closely linked with the people, improve the environment and happiness index, and give the people more tangible benefits. Promote Xining Domestic and Overseas Popularity The implementation of the project will promote Xining development to be a highland

landscape garden city, Huangshui river basin to be a green landscape ecological corridor of ecological protection, green leisure, scenery spot, cultural platform and eco-environment restoration, improve Xining domestic and overseas popularity, and help create brands of “Cool City—Xining” and international famous curing leisure resort. Provide Conservation Culture Example for Other Cities Xining will communicate the achievement and relevant experience from treatment practice to other cities without reservation, and continuously develop and evolve the river treatment practice to make contributions to ecological civilization construction.

G. Detailed description of the initiative and innovation Choose any of the above headings or a particular aspect of the initiative that you wish to highlight and that you think best describes the reasons why the innovative aspect(s) of the initiative could be of benefit to other cities, regions, communities or parties (400 words max). In the process of project implementation, Party Committee and Government of Qinghai Province, Party Committee and Government of Xining City with great foresight, flexible thinking and bold innovation pay high attention to link theory with practice, guide the project to become more practice, flexible, long-lasting and sustainable, and make the following work smoother and to maximize the project achievement. The “Rules of Control for Water Pollution of Qinghai Huangshui River Basin” that deliberated and approved by Standing Committee of Qinghai Provincial People’s Congress in September 2014 provides more targeted and operational legal protection for Huangshui river water pollution control. Xining Municipal Government set up Huangshui River Basin (Xining section) Comprehensive Treatment Commission which is in charge of the project. Then the commission will transfer to commercial pattern to fit the needs of development. In order to strengthen Huangshui river pollution control, Xining implements the system that county level government officials who act as “river leaders” take charge of riverway water quality in their jurisdictions of Huangshui river (Xining section). Via website and newspapers, invite grassroots organizations and the people to participate in plan discussion, field interviewing and questionnaire. In this way, extensively solicit ideas of the common people to make policies and the project more democratic. In the dilemma of capital deficit, the government looks for help from World Bank, domestic banks as well as collateral and pledge, while applying for more national special funds and provincial supporting funds to ensure the project completed successfully. Tailored plans and World Bank’s advanced technology help improve the river basin environment. Scientifically and reasonably introduce two issues—economic policy and environmental implication into sewage collection and management and reuse of reclaimed water, and establish the foundation for vigorous promoting reclaimed water in the next step.

H. Descriptive material in annex to the document These are materials destined to allow members of the Technical Committee and the Jury to have a better understanding of the context of your initiative which is a very important consideration. Additional material can be submitted in DVD or CD formats. Please do not exceed the specifications below; anything that exceeds these specifications may not be availed to the Technical Committee or the Jury. Please provide, where possible and relevant, the following: ◆ Up to 5 press clippings or copies of covers and tables of content of reports published

on the initiative. Please embed this material on A4 pages. ◆ Up to 5 photos that best illustrate the initiative (.jpeg at 72. dpi, 500 x 700 px maximum). Please embed this material in two (2) A4 pages with titles. ◆ Up to 5 graphics that best illustrate the initiative (.pdf format, 72 dpi, A4 size max). These graphics could illustrate for example, trends, ratios or percentages; tools or technologies; etc. Please embed them on A4 pages. ◆ 1 map that best illustrates the physical context of the initiative (.pdf format, 72 dpi, A4 max) ◆ 1 chart that best illustrates the initiative (.pdf format, 72 dpi, A4 max) ◆ 1 technical drawing reduced to fit A4 format

I. Additional material

Any additional material such as videos should be submitted on a DVD/CD or by email to the Secretariat at [email protected]. :