Research into establishing Chongming as ecologically green island

On 21st August 2001, discussions were held to appraise the results from "Research into establishing Chongming as Shanghai's ecologically green island" at Golden Bell Meeting Hall in the Golden Bell Plaza. The appraisal meeting was led by Xia Liqing, director of the Shanghai Urban Planning Administration, and joined by related experts from East China Normal University, Fudan University, the Shanghai Committee of Science and Technology and other such institutions.

"Research into establishing Chongming as Shanghai's ecologically green island" is part of the initial research on the project of developing Chongming Dongtan, which has been entrusted to SIIC by the Shanghai Municipal Government. The research began in October last year with the initial draft published in January this year.

From examination of the data results and discussions, the expert panel reached the following conclusions:

1. The research systematically and clearly points to eco-construction as the basis of planning for Chongming's development. It focuses on cultivating and adding value to the existing natural assets of Chongming and surpasses normal standards in its stress on environmental protection. Also, the research's position is that social and economical progress and the improvement of living standards for local residents can be promoted by adopting a principle of prioritizing the ecological environment.

2. The research discusses the thinking behind Chongming's development in a positive light in terms of promotion of international progress and practice of ecological culture. This has important implications for the ecological and economical development of Chongming, as well as advancing the social economy market in its less developed areas.

3. The research proposes to establish Chongming as one of the prime bases supporting Shanghai's sustainable growth in the 21st century, which will fulfill an integral part in Shanghai's historical and logical socio-economic development of the "Suzhou Creek-Huangpu River-Pacific Border" area.

4. The results lay theoretical foundations for further planning to establish comprehensive ultra-ecological areas, which incorporate sightseeing, and industrial and residential development in Chongming.

5. The research differs from the prevailing "mode of constructing developing areas" in that it initially proposes to develop Dongtan in Chongming's eco-construction. Once the development of Dongtan proves that Chongming can become a sustainable, successful, and internationally recognized wetland, from all aspects, including scientifically, ecologically, economically and aesthetically, then the whole of Chongming Island can be developed within the framework of this guiding research model. The results contain planning principles that provide the government with a good basis for decision making.

6. One of the significant innovations in this research is that it is able to clarify the principal functions of developing Chongming and Dongtan from a studied economical viewpoint, incorporating knowledge and research in the development of its content.

The expert panel is aware that the research results have become a significant point of reference for the "Chongming Development Research Committee" which consists of members from related departments of the Shanghai Municipal Government. Therefore, it is hereby proposed that this matter should continue to be researched at a more detailed level.

Appraisal Panel for "Research into establishing Chongming as Shanghai's ecologically green island"

August 21, 2001