The Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city is the result of a collaborative agreement between the Governments of China and Singapore to jointly develop a socially harmonious, environmentally friendly and resource-conserving city in China. Designed to be practical, replicable and scaleable, the Tianjin Eco-city will demonstrate the determination of both countries in tackling environmental protection, resource and energy conservation, and sustainable development, and serve as a model for sustainable development for other cities in China.

Location

The Eco-city site is located 40 km from the Tianjin city centre and 150 km from Beijing. The site is 10 km from the core district of the Tianjin Binhai New Area (TBNA), with the southern tip of the site only a 5 to 10 minute drive from the TEDA, the current driving force behind Tianjin's economic growth.

Key Features

The Tianjin Eco-city will be ecologically friendly, and existing wetlands and biodiversity will be preserved. Green spaces will be interspersed throughout the city. Located in an area of low rainfall, the Eco-city will draw a significant part of its water supply from non-traditional sources such as desalinated water.

Integrated waste management will be implemented in the Eco-city, with particular emphasis on the reduction, reuse and recycling of waste. A light-rail transit system, supplemented by a secondary network of trams and buses, will be the main mode of transportation in the Eco-city. This will help to reduce its carbon emissions.

Social harmony will be a key feature of the Eco-city. An important instrument will be subsidised public housing in the Eco-city, which will help to meet the housing needs of the lower and lower-middle income strata of society, and enable people of different income and social strata to live near to, and interact with, one another. The Eco-city will be barrier-free to cater to the needs of the elderly and the mobility-impaired. Public social and recreational facilities will be located within easy access of homes to meet residents’ needs and provide opportunities for residents to interact.

The development of the Eco-city will respect local heritage. The profile of the Ji Canal, which is 1,000 years old, will be retained. Two existing villages within the Eco-city site will also be conserved through adaptive reuse or partial rebuilding.

Master Plan

The Master Plan of Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city intention is for development to take place around a central core of conserved ecological wetlands and rehabilitated water bodies. The main centre of the Eco-city will be located on the southern bank of a historical thousand-year old river course, which has been planned for a variety of uses, including commercial, cultural and recreational uses.

A comprehensive green transport network, i.e. non-motorised and public transport, will be developed in the Eco-city. A light rail transit system will serve as the main mode of transport within the Eco-city.

Commercial sub-centres will be located in each of the suburban areas to provide employment opportunities for the residents and reduce their need for commuting. There will also be dedicated service industry parks, university and hospital sites located within the Eco-city, which will contribute to the long-term economic vibrancy of the Eco-city in a sustainable manner

Energy Efficiency and Use of Clean, Renewable Energy

The use of clean fuel and renewable energy such as solar energy and geothermal energy will be explored. For a start, the Eco-city will draw on waste heat from a major nearby power plant to provide district heating.

Green Buildings

All buildings in the Eco-city will conform to green building standards to ensure efficient energy usage. The use of clean and renewable energy, such as wind and solar energy, will be promoted in the Eco-city. An energy-conservation and environment-friendly mindset will also be cultivated in its residents.

Green Transportation

An efficient and easily accessible public transport system will be available, which will reduce the level of carbon emission within the Eco-city. Green trips, which include public transportation, cycling and walking, will also be promoted in the Eco-city. The target is for at least 90 per cent of the trips within the Eco-city to be via walking, cycling or use of public transport.

Ecologically Friendly

The development of the Eco-city will proceed in harmony with the natural environment. Existing wetlands and biodiversity will be preserved. Extensive greenery will be a distinctive feature of the Eco-city, with lush green spaces and recreational spaces sensitively interspersed throughout the city.

Water Management

Water recycling and more efficient use of water resources will be one of the key features in the Eco-city. The Eco-city is located in an area of low rainfall. Water from rivers flowing through the region will not be able to meet the needs of the Eco-city. To overcome this constraint and to reduce its reliance on external water sources, the Eco-City will draw a significant part of its water supply from non-traditional sources such as desalinated water and recycled domestic and industrial wastewater.

To provide a quality living environment for residents, tap water will be potable and in line with PRC and international standards.

Waste Management

Integrated waste management will be implemented in the Eco-city, with particular emphasis on the "3Rs" of waste management - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. The conservation of resources and reduction of waste generation will be encouraged through public education programmes. Where possible, non-organic waste will be recycled and reused, while organic waste will be used as biomass for energy

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Economic Vibrancy

The Eco-city aims to achieve economic vibrancy, by specialising in tertiary and service industries, being a educational and R&D centre for environment-related technologies, as well as being a destination for eco-themed recreational tours. It will also provide good employment opportunities for its residents, ensuring that the Eco-city remains economically viable.

Social Harmony

The Eco-city will place emphasis on the development and strengthening of social harmony among the residents. There will be subsidized public housing, so that people of different income and social strata can live near to and interact with one another. Communal amenities and facilities will be widely accessible. The Eco-City will also be barrier-free to cater to the needs of the elderly and the mobility-impaired.

Heritage Conservation