Project Title: Study on the challenges to natural environment and resources from urban development and its countermeasures in China

Project Type: Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

Project Awardee: Li Guilin

Project Abstract: Serious problems and big challenges to the resources depletion, environment pollution as well as population exploration and crowded transportation have been caused by the rapid urbanization in current China, which has restricted the sustainability of urban development in some degree and therefore drawn the worldwide attention. It’s a crucial issue on how to sustainably develop Chinese cities with minimized resources consumption and environmental pollution.

Although many case studies have investigated the related issue from some certain perspective, no systematic and integrated research has been conducted at national scale. This project, therefore, is aimed to backdate the track of Chinese urban development, and its concurrent influences on natural resources and environment changes at national and urban scales. Based on statistic techniques, GIS spatial analysis and mathematic models (e.g. Ecological Footprint model), the stresses of urban development on natural resources and environment and feedback constraints will be analyzed. Also, the cost of urban development and the carrying capacity of natural environment and resources will be evaluated. And finally, the corresponding policies and countermeasures will be discussed to maintain the sustainable urban growth.

Period of Project: 2007.9 – 2009. 9

Fund of Project: ￥100,000