CRI听力: Changyang Town, Building on Low Carbon Plan

Anchor: Urbanization seems to be an unstoppable force. Nowadays, however, maintaining low carbon levels has become a key factor in city planning. The developing Changyang town, located in the suburbs of southwest Beijing, is a prime example.

Our reporter Li Dong has the details.

Reporter: Changyang town is about 20 minutes drive from its nearest downtown district, Shijingshan. Since Beijing's municipal government announced plans to build a shopping and recreation area around Changyang, the real estate industry in this area has boomed.

Keeping carbon levels low and saving energy are two of the major factors involved in Changyang's sustainable development planning. As Li Jun, the director general of Changyang's Management Committee, says: lowering emissions from the construction industry, which is a high energy consumer, represents a significant step.

"During the construction process, we adopt an industrialized manufacturing model. This can significantly shorten the construction period and reduce the pollution caused by noise and dust. We are also using high efficiency insulation materials in the building. The energy saving efficiency can reach up to 70%. Plus, Changyang has abundant natural thermal resources. We will make full use of this clean energy source."

"Industrialized manufacturing" means that the single components are manufactured in the factory, with assembly taking place at the construction site itself. By using the same model during the apartment manufacturing process, water, electricity, wood and other natural resources can be reduced. This, in turn, reduces the carbon emissions involved in construction.

Enhancing construction efficiency can also be achieved by using energy saving materials. The Hengtong Construction Material Company in Changyang town, for example, have developed a way of manufacturing most compound construction materials from solid waste. Sun Zhiqiang, the company's general manager, discusses the process.

"Most solid waste can be used. White and black plastic bags, plastic bottles, wood debris, dry wheat stems, old window frames, and discarded plaster board can all be used to make high quality construction materials for the assembly of apartments. And these materials can still be recycled. It saves a lot of resources."

An example of what Li Jun refers to as "industrialized manufacturing" is Wanke real estate's Changyang Peninsula project. Xiaojin, Wanke's sales director, says the educational facilities being constructed as part of this project are a fine example of low carbon and environmental protection.

"From kindergarten, to primary school, middle school and high school, we will use environmental protection standards to build all the educational facilities in Changyang. We have invited an experienced design company to integrate energy saving and environmental protection into the design of the playground and public area. Our aim is to turn the Changyang project into the world's most eco-friendly facility of its kind."

Changyang town invited Genetic Consulting, a company with a lot of experience in environmental protection planning, to act as design advisor on its low carbon development. Changyang is taking all necessary steps to increase efficiency, save energy and lower carbon emissions.

For CRI, I am Li Dong.