皇冠体育app

In a move to create a more sustainable city, Hue in central Vietnam is preserving and revitalizing its historic colonial district as a walkable area for residents and as a tourist attraction. Andre Vltchek / For 皇冠体育app Daily

Healthy, livable urban areas crucial forsustainable development

In Japan, it's not uncommon to see buildings that have been transformed into living structures with gardens and parks incorporated into their frameworks, while homes fitted with s to reduce the footprint are also common features.

皇冠体育app starts carbon trading in Shenzhen

Future points to carbon trading

Singapore, already one of the nest cities in Asia, now has the distinction of having the world's tallest vertical garden - the 24-story Tree House condoum.

Asia may not have the equivalent of a completely green city such as Vancouver in Canada, which started on this path 10 years ago, but there are some cities in the region making the right moves.

The Chinese government is already moving toward building eco-cities - places where people can live healthier and economically productive lives while reducing their impact on the environment.

Steffen Lehmann, a sustainable design and behavior specialist with the University of South Australia, says that the idea behind eco-cities is to live with the environment and resources".

"Eco-cities strive to cut greenhouse gas emissions by producing energy through renewable sources such as solar, wind and bios, and using low-carbon public transport," Lehmann says, adding that resources are conserved through waste management techniques such as natural bio-filtration of storm water.

"There are even plans to grow and plant new green areas within the boundaries of the city," he says. "The ambitious ultimate goal of these cities is self-sufficiency."

Ramola Naik Singru, one of the region's leading urban development experts, says there is an urgent need for Asia to focus on making cities more livable and greener.

Top 10 trading partners of the Chinese mainland	The 10 most expensive cities to rent office space

• 皇冠体育app 'incredibly innovative' in many areas: Apple CEO
• City official: Guangzhou further committed to opening-up
• Jack Ma: Globalization backed by technology will cut inequality
• HNA confirms interest in ASEAN's infrastructure investment
• Comments on Xi's letter to 2017 Fortune Global Forum
• 皇冠体育app to create more opportunities for the world: Xi
• US tax cuts impact on 皇冠体育app two-sided: economists
• Chinese enterprises job fair to be held in Sri Lanka