It will guide land use, development of 30 sq km site
IN Mandarin, the description is almost poetic. Translated into English, it goes: 'One chain surrounds one core; six wedges to the river and sea; one spine connecting four districts.'
Eco-valley: The master plan aims to make the eco-city a scalable and replicable model that promotes green living, economic development and social harmonyThe phrase paints an overall picture of the proposed Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city, the most significant collaboration between the governments of Singapore and China since the Suzhou Industrial Park project.
Unveiled by the Ministry of National Development, the draft master plan will guide land use and development of the 30 sq km site, located 40 km from Tianjin city centre.
Drafted with three principles in mind, the master plan aims to make the eco-city a practical, scalable and replicable model that promotes green living, economic development and social harmony for cities in China and elsewhere.
The heart of the green city will consist of an eco-core and eco-chain, conserved wetlands and rehabilitated water bodies. Connecting this core to surrounding rivers and the sea will be six waterways or eco-corridors.
Four main districts will encircle the ecological core, and a light rail will run through the city along an eco-valley, connecting major transit nodes, residential areas, community facilities and commercial centres.
To minimise commuting, residential areas, workplaces, education institutions and recreational spots will be close to the core, a 400m by 400m basic grid called an eco-cell. Various eco-cells will form neighbourhoods, districts, and urban centres.
The eco-city may house 350,000 residents when it is completed in 10 to 15 years.
A three sq km start-up area close to the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area has been marked for completion in the next three to five years.
Keppel Corporation is leading Singapore's effort in the joint venture. 'Keppel is looking at various other international partners and companies - Europeans, Americans and others,' said National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan.
The Qatar Investment Authority has already been roped in, and according to Mr Mah, has announced that it will 'take 10 per cent of the part of the Singapore joint venture.'
Asked if Singapore companies stand to benefit from the eco-city project, Mr Mah said: 'I believe that many companies from Singapore have the expertise, so I think this will be a wonderful opportunity for them to be able to offer that expertise' - in areas such as waste-water treatment and energy development.
The Tianjin municipal government will put up the draft master plan for public consultation in Tianjin next week.
The plan may be refined before it is submitted for approval by the Chinese authorities.
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