First appeared in
Asian Development Bank
50 climate solutions from cities in the People's Republic of China
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 area, is infusing a low-carbon philosophy into its strategic development goals. Launched in 2011, some of the main directives guiding Baibuting’s development are aordable low-carbon housing, convenient transport, access to green space and essential services, and energy e¡ciency. 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.
500K
TONS OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS WILL BE REDUCED ANNUALLY IN 2020 IN BAIBUTING DUE TO ITS GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP AND SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM.
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.
Building developers in Baibuting, Wuhan have incorporated green technologies in their design, including rain collection systems and artificial wetlands to preserve resources (photo by Sustainia).
The Challenge
Residents of Baibuting live in a very dense area in one of the nation’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.
Environment 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.