By focusing on infrastructure development and community engagement, Baibuting, a densely built community in Wuhan, is successfully integrating a low-carbon philosophy into its strategic development.
As part of Wuhan’s Low-Carbon City Pilot Program, Baibuting, a community of 150,000 people living on 5.5 km2, is infusing a low-carbon philosophy into its strategic development goals. Launched in 2011, some of the main directives guiding Baibuting’s development are affordable low-carbon housing, convenient transport, and access to green space and essential services, and energy efficiency. According to the area’s development strategy, housing construction is encouraged to incorporate low-carbon and climate-resilient technologies. So far, developers’ investment in renewable energy has yielded a geothermal heat pump heating system and a solar energy water heater system for the community’s benefit.
500,00 tons of greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced annually in 2020 in Baibuting due to its geothermal heat pump and solar energy system
Cities100 – 2017
Baibuting’s strategy focuses not only on physical improvements but also on the importance of instilling a low-carbon culture and environmentally responsible habits among residents. With the help of 40,000 volunteers, almost a third of the population, the Baibuting council helps residents adopt a green lifestyle by, among other initiatives, bringing awareness to power and water savings and clarifying waste separation guidelines.
The challenge
Residents of Baibuting live in a very dense area in one of China’s most populous cities. While the area’s space constraints promote mobility, the district needed to improve its energy efficiency as well. Therefore, Wuhan initiated a holistic low-carbon approach to the neighborhood’s development that engages residents and incentivizes the uptake of green technologies.
Co-benefits
Economic By reducing energy consumption and promoting energy conservation in buildings, Baibuting’s low-carbon focus is also saving residents money on energy bills.
Environmental The geothermal heat pump and solar energy system have already reduced CO2 emissions by 300,000 tons annually.
Health Baibuting’s low-carbon transportation projects encourage walking, cycling, and the use of public transit, which will improve residents’ health outcomes.
Social There are now more than 170 cultural and sports groups in Baibuting, keeping the community active and engaged.
About Wuhan
Wuhan is the capital of Hubei province, China, and is the most populous city in Central China. It is a major transportation hub, with dozens of railways, roads and expressways passing through the city and connecting to other major cities. Because of its key role in domestic transportation, Wuhan was sometimes referred to as “the Chicago of China” by foreign sources.
