Cities100: Wuhan - Dense District Seeks Energy-Efficient Future

By focusing on infrastructure development and community engagement, Baibuting, a densely built community in Wuhan, is successfully integrating a low-carbon philosophy into its strategic development.

The Challenge

Residents of Baibuting live in a very dense area in one of China’s most populous cities. While the area’s space constraints promote mobility, the district needed to improve its energy efficiency as well. Therefore, Wuhan initiated a holistic low-carbon approach to the neighborhood’s development that engages residents and incentivizes the uptake of green technologies.

The Solution

As part of Wuhan’s Low-Carbon City Pilot Program, Baibuting, a community of 150,000 people living on 5.5 km2, is infusing a low-carbon philosophy into its strategic development goals. Launched in 2011, some of the main directives guiding Baibuting’s development are affordable, energy efficient housing, convenient transport, and access to green space and essential services. According to the area’s development strategy, housing construction is encouraged to incorporate low-carbon and climate-resilient technologies. So far, developers’ investment in renewable energy has yielded a geothermal heat pump heating and cooling system and solar powered water heaters for the community’s benefit. Baibuting’s strategy focuses not only on physical improvements but also on the importance of instilling a low-carbon culture and environmentally responsible habits among residents. With the help of 40,000 volunteers, almost a third of the population, the Baibuting council helps residents adopt a green lifestyle by, among other initiatives, bringing awareness to power and water savings and clarifying waste separation guidelines.

Environmental Benefits – The geothermal and solar energy systems have already reduced CO2 emissions by 300,000 tons annually.

Social Benefits – There are now more than 170 cultural and sports groups in Baibuting, keeping the community active and engaged.

Economic Benefits – By reducing energy consumption and promoting energy conservation in buildings, Baibuting’s low-carbon focus is also saving residents money on energy bills.

Health Benefits – Baibuting’s low-carbon transportation projects encourage walking, cycling, and the use of public transit, which will improve residents’ health outcomes.

About Cities100

In its second year, Cities100 – presented by C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40), Sustainia and Realdania – showcases leading solutions to urban climate challenges in ten sectors, ranging from solid waste management to transportation. For the first time, this year’s publication features solutions that address the nexus of climate change and social equity.

Available online and in print, Cities100 provides stakeholders an accessible format to explore achievable solutions for climate action in cities, and will be a useful tool for relevant groups ranging from impact investors and development organizations, to mayors and city governments.  You can access the full Cities100 2016 publication online here and read more about how may­ors will de­liver the aims of the Paris Agree­ment in a fore­ward by Anne Hidalgo, C40 Chair and Mayor of Paris, here.