Ningbo's environment renovations shared at global forum

A global forum on the sustainable development of cities was held in Ningbo from Nov 20 to 21, where ideas and practices regarding the environment renovations of the city were shared and appreciated by the attendees, including officials from the United Nations and experts from overseas countries such as Japan, Britain, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

The Reconstructing Charming Hometown—2018 Ningbo Forum, hosted by the Chinese Society for Sustainable Development, is an annual activity for discussing ways that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development released by the United Nations in 2015 can be implemented. It is the second year that the forum has been held.

Wang Yong, head of the city's small-town environment improvement leadership group, summarized his ideas in small-town environment innovations by emphasizing the importance of planning, acting according to local conditions, urban-rural integration, daily management and multi-participation. 

Ningbo is experienced in pursuing the sustainable development of cities, with environment renovations launched in 112 towns and villages in 2016, and 58 of them have so far passed the environment checks of the city government. 

Dayan town, in particular, has invested heavily in renovations over the years, with an investment of 140 million yuan ($20.2 million), and has made significant achievements in building itself into a picturesque and poetic town. 

Dai Zhifeng, Party chief of the town, shared their 36 policies in conducting overall environment renovations, ranging from planning to management, with the guests. As an example of the policies undertaken, the Houfan village in the town has reused waste water jars and tiles and turned them into beautiful artifacts that dot the fields and roads of the village. 

The environment renovations have brought the town not only an improved infrastructure and quality of life, but also the flourishing of tourism and an increase of residents' income, according to Dai.