Shenzhen Low Carbon City
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SHENZHEN LOW CARBON CITY A TRANSFORMATION OF CONCEPT AND PLANNING PROCESS Ruben Cales, MSc Urban and Regional Planning University of Amsterdam, 2014 2 3 Colophon Shenzhen Low Carbon City: A transformation of Concept and Planning Process MSc. Thesis Graduate Degree Urban and Regional Planning University of Amsterdam Graduate School of Social Sciences Department of Human Geography, Planning & International Development Studies Project in collaboration with International New Town Institute, INTI Ruben Cales Student ID: 10607013 [email protected] 13 August 2014 Mentor team Supervisor: Prof. A. Reijndorp Co-tutor: C. W. Yang 4 5 Abstract. The rapid urbanization process of Shenzhen cause a rapid environmental degradation. A new development pattern with less energy consumption is urgently required. The new concept of Low Carbon City is proposed by the Chinese as the eco-city answer. To successful implement this concept is there a change in the development mode of Shenzhen needed; from only focusing on economic growth to an equal focus on the social and environmental aspects in the planning process as well. Importing knowledge is therefore an essential element in the development process. The aim is to describe and understand the development of the concept of Low Carbon City and the planning process, focused on the involvement and contribution of planning consultancies. An analysis of the planning process of three case studies (Guangming New Town, Qianhai Bay and Pingdi International Low Carbon City) outlines the positioning of the concept through time. The planning process in Guangming started as open and broad with a prominent role for planning consultancies due to a lack of knowledge about eco-city development. In the ongoing planning process of Pingdi is an over- emphasizing of technology visible and are the consultancies contributing on specific planning aspects. A study of the planning process of the three cases shows that the concept changed from broad to a narrow focus. This understanding of the concept made that involvement of the consultancies in the planning process is based on cooperation and specialization. Through time did the increase of knowledge results in an increase narrowness of the concept and a transforming of the planning process. Keywords: Low Carbon City, Planning Process, Eco-City Development, Shenzhen, Strategic Planning, Use of Urban Concepts. 6 7 Acknowledgement. There are many people who I would like to thank for their help completing this thesis project. Firstly, I have been very lucky to have such dedicated mentors, who have guided me throughout the project. I am grateful that they support my topic and help me when needed. It was a pleasure to work with my supervisor Arnold Reijndorp and my co-tutor Ching Wen Yan. It has been great to carry out this project with such a motivated group of students. Sjoerd, Daan, Luc, Tadeas, Romeu and Paula, I enjoyed our discussions and time together. I am grateful to my colleagues for all the help throughout the project. The International New Town Institute (INTI) has been of great help of this project. I would like to thank Linda Vlassenrood especially, for helping us with an accommodation, organizing the introduction week and for sharing their contacts with me. This was of great value for this study. I appreciated the help of students from Shenzhen University; especially the help of Polly was essential for me. Their enthusiasm and willingness to help with our projects and getting around in the city is really appreciated. It was also great to have a working space at the Shenzhen Center for Design. Thanks to the team of SCD and particularly Weiwen Huang and Liu Lei, for their interest in my study, inviting us at workshops, and all the help in Shenzhen and afterwards. In closing, I would like to thank my family, my sister Rachel and my parents Hans and Audrey, for all your endless support. Last but not least, I would like to thank my friends and roommates from Utrecht for their motivation and help during my study time. It is very much appreciated. Ruben Cales Utrecht, August 2014 8 9 Content. Abstract ....................................................................................................................................... 5 Acknowledgement ....................................................................................................................... 7 Preface ....................................................................................................................................... 13 Structure ..................................................................................................................................... 14 PART ONE: RESEARCH FRAMEWORK ............................................................................................ 17 Chapter One - Introduction .......................................................................................................... 19 Problem Statement ........................................................................................................................... 22 Aim ..................................................................................................................................................... 22 Research Question............................................................................................................................. 22 Scientific and Social Relevance .......................................................................................................... 23 Conceptual Model ............................................................................................................................. 23 Research and Case-Study Design ....................................................................................................... 24 Case Study Selection .......................................................................................................................... 24 Data Collection .................................................................................................................................. 26 Data Analyzing ................................................................................................................................... 27 Limitations ......................................................................................................................................... 28 Chapter Two - Context ................................................................................................................. 29 Planning System ................................................................................................................................ 29 Climate Change .................................................................................................................................. 32 Economic Transformation ................................................................................................................. 32 Lack of Land Resource ....................................................................................................................... 33 Chapter Three – Theoretical Framework ...................................................................................... 35 Inter-City Competition ....................................................................................................................... 35 Strategic Planning .............................................................................................................................. 36 Use of Strategic Concepts .................................................................................................................. 36 Involvement Planning Consultancies ................................................................................................. 38 10 PART TWO: RESEARCH FINDINGS ................................................................................................. 39 Chapter Four – Low Carbon City ................................................................................................... 41 Eco-City ............................................................................................................................................. 41 Worldwide History ............................................................................................................................. 41 China’s History ................................................................................................................................... 42 Shenzhen’s History ............................................................................................................................ 43 Reasons ............................................................................................................................................. 44 Aim and Definition ............................................................................................................................. 46 Implementation ................................................................................................................................. 47 Involvement Planning Consultancies ................................................................................................. 50 Chapter Five – Guangming New Town .......................................................................................... 53 Section 1 ............................................................................................................................................ 53 Geographical