Step this way to get your daily fix of green news, eco product launches and videos delivered by email.
Shanghai developers plan to begin construction next year on what they say will be the world's first sustainable 'eco city' on a plot almost the size of Manhattan, New York. The Dongtan, or East Beach, project is to be built on Chongming Island and is slated to eventually support half a million residents.
With the Beijing Olympics coming up this summer, the pressure's on China to clean up its smoggy air for the thousands of athletes competing there. But those environmental improvements are expected to be temporary, and really only for the Olympics.
Developers say the Dongtan project, however, will set an example for China and the rest of the world, according to The Seattle Times. Among other things, the city is envisioned to recycle almost all of its waste, produce its own electricity and ferry people around in hydrogen fuel-cell buses and solar-powered water taxis.
But amid high hopes, there is fear that the environmental project will end up as "another grand idea that failed in practice."
China isn't alone in wanted to build these so-called 'eco cities.' The United Arab Emirates is planning on building Masdar City, a zero-carbon city in the desert, by late 2009. At least Shanghai has more water to work with.
Please note: Your email address must be entered but will not be displayed
Please note: All submitted content becomes the sole property of CNET Networks UK and may be used, edited or rejected at CNET Networks UK's sole discretion. You acknowledge that you, not CNET Networks UK, are responsible for the contents of your submission.
Step this way to get your daily fix of green news, eco product launches and videos delivered by email.
