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List of China's National Experimental
Sustainable Communities
(up to December 30, 1996)

Introduction to China's Experimental Sustainable Community

With respect to hot points such as environment, population and resources, in 1986, led by the State Science and Technology Commission, the State Planning Commission, and other relevant governmental sectors, Changzhou City and Wuxi county of Jiangsu Province were chosen, as demonstration, to test comprehensive community management through the dissemination of innovative ways of thinking and input of science and technology. The demonstration involves both theoretical researches and extensive social practices. It has conducted  comprehensive experiments in areas with great differences in natural and geographical conditions, including rural areas, county town and city blocks.Through ten years' effort, a new way has been figured out which depends on the scientific and technological advancement to promote economic and social sustainable development. By the end of 1996, there were 26 such communities at the natinal level and 45 at the provincial and municipal level; those cover 23 of China's provinces. With the implementation of China's Agenda 21, the Chinese goverment is placing sustainable development as one of its important base of experience and practice for the implementation of China's Agenda 21 at local level.

Objectives

The main objective of the experimental sustainable communities is to develop new mechanisms which will benefit economic development while keeping in harmony with social development and environmental protection; to improve the relationship between human beings and nature by increasing people's awareness of new concepts and improving their capabilities; and to "control population growth, expand job availability, improve the social security system, protect the environment; and in this way to promote social prosperity through fair, secure, civilized and healthy development."

Guidelines for Action in the Experimental Sustainable Communities

1.Principles

The communities chosen will be guided by the macro-control of the government. They will also involve public participation; use scientific and technological principles, and promote all facets of  social development.

• Equitable distribution of natural resources use;

• Harmonize the relationship between human beings and nature;

• public awareness;

• efficiency of development.

2.Program areas

A.Capacity building on sustainable development in the experimental communities

• new types of management and organization structure;

• encouraging the transition of infrastructures from solely social benefits to economic benefits;

• increasing cultural and educational levels;

• new types of consumption models;

• social welfare and security system;

• the right of equitable participation by women and the disabled.

B.Sustainable township development

• community planning and management;

• infrastructure, particularly roads, transportation, and communications;

• reconstructions of old city urban areas;

• sewage treatment and reuse;

• disposal of municipal solid wastes;

• ecologically sound management of human settlements;

• protection of historical relics.

C.Sustainable agriculture and rural development

• rational utilization of land and water resources;

• adjustment of agricultural structure and optimum combination of resources and production elements;

• comprehensive management of fragile ecosystem;

• renewable energy development in rural areas (biomass, wind and solar energy);

• poverty alleviation;

• green food production.

D.Optimum utilization of resources

• promoting change towards intensive and efficient development;

• expansion of tertiary industry to raise the quality of life;

• promotion of cleaner production and cleaner energy;

• waste minimization and recycling.

E.Ecosystem restoration and environmental protection

• protection of rare and wild species;

• environmental monitoring and impact assessment;

• conservation of marine ecological resources.

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The Administrative Office for China's National
Experimental Sustainable Communities
Address:109 Wanquanhe Road, Haidian District,
Beijing 100089
The People's Republic of China
Phone: +86-10-82636201, Fax: +86-10-82636192
E-mail: renyn@acca21.edu.cn