Technology is an integral part of contemporary eco-city initiatives, in China and elsewhere: most typically, in the form of various ‘green’ socio-technical solutions aimed at reducing environmental impact and transitioning cities to a low-carbon era. Less visible but just as pervasive, various ‘smart’ technological systems are envisaged to structure, steer and monitor the modern eco-city, from infrastructure to public life. Interestingly, the role of socio-technical systems and solutions in fashioning eco-city initiatives ideologically, conceptually and practically has been relatively under investigated to date. Yet, viewing Caofeidian International Eco-City, an exemplar of Chinese (and wider Asian) efforts in the field, the centrality of technology becomes abundantly clear, re-vealing various tensions and contradictions that define the nature of this eco-city in key ways.
This lecture highlights the relationship between the city and its hinterland, dis-cusses the focus on science and technology driving the city’s concept, and explores the international, modernist design language used. In doing so, the analysis points to a disconnect between the city’s green technology focus and the high-carbon heavy industry of the surrounding area, and a lack of engage-ment with local culture and community. Caofeidian eco-city exhibits several features of 20th century techno-cities, although these are re-cast within the 21st century context of global climate change policy and China’s ongoing rapid urbanization processes.
Information on participating / attending:
Bei dieser Veranstaltung handelt es sich um eine Videokonferenz in englischer Sprache. Die Teilnahme ist kostenfrei. Eine Anmeldung ist nicht erforderlich.
Date:
04/23/2013 16:30 - 04/23/2013 18:00
Event venue:
Leibniz-Institut für ökologische Raumentwicklung e. V.
Weberplatz 1
Veranstaltungssaal
01217 Dresden
Sachsen
Germany
Target group:
Scientists and scholars, Students
Email address:
Relevance:
regional
Subject areas:
Economics / business administration, Environment / ecology, Politics
Types of events:
Presentation / colloquium / lecture
Entry:
03/20/2013
Sender/author:
Katrin Vogel
Department:
Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Event is free:
yes
Language of the text:
English
URL of this event: http://idw-online.de/en/event42866
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