On 14 October, “Workshop on Planning for Greener Cities and South-South Cooperation in Africa” was successfully open in Tongji University. 18 representatives from 12 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America attended, including two professors of national research centers, four environmental government officials and several project managers of urban planning and environmental governance. The workshop is co-organized by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Human Settlement Programme(UN HABITAT)and Tongji University, supported by Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China (MOST), and undertaken by UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development (IESD).

In the opening ceremony, Professor Lyu Peiming, Vice President of Tongji University addressed: China is one of the developing countries, and active promoter and supporter of South-South Cooperation. In the process of development, China insists to combine self-interest with common benefits of developing countries, and provides help in our power to the Southern countries. We hope the workshop can promote the experience sharing in urban planning. Through UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development, the cooperation among Tongji University, UNEP and UN HABITAT has lasted for more than 10 years. We have jointly participated in many projects on South-South Cooperation. As one of the key universities in China and the top university in urban planning, Tongji university leads lots of large scale infrastructure projects in China and overseas. Together with UNEP and UN HABITAT, Tongji University is carrying out capacity building and project cooperation on planning for greener cities in Africa. We are confident that it can leverage China Africa cooperation and South-South Cooperation. 

   Professor Lyu Peiming, Vice President of Tongji University addressed at the opening ceremony

Ms. Shangyan He, Director of International Cooperation Department of Shanghai Science and Technology Committee reflected the history that China provided aids to developing countries：“Since 1989, MOST has been supporting private sectors, academia and scientific research instituions in undertaking training programmes for developing countries.So far, more than 700 workshops have been held, which has provided training to more than 10,000 technology experts from around 130 countries and regions. Ms.He also introduced the scientific projects on South-South Cooperation under Shanghai Science and Technology Committee. She sent her wish to the participants of the workshop: This workshop is the third phase of China Africa research workshop held in Tongji University and supported by MOST. Based on the achievement of the previous two, I wish this workshop can further discuss on green cities planning and expand the cooperation areas in urban environment, and establish good relationships and build a green sustainable development path. 

Ms. Shangyan He, Director of International Cooperation Department of Shanghai Science and Technology Committee addressed at the opening ceremony

Professor Fabio Montagnino, Board Member of Consorzio Arca, University of Palermo, Italy mentioned：As the cradle of“World Cities Day”，Shanghai has much experience and technology on promoting green smart cities to share. We hope this workshop can promote the development of Africa countries and regions through knowledge sharing.”

  Professor Fabio Montagnino, Board Member of Consorzio Arca, University of Palermo, Italy addressed at the opening ceremony

The opening of the workshop was chaired by Mr. Xin Wang, Vice Dean of UNEP-Tongji IESD. Professor Fengting Li, Executive Deputy Dean of UNEP-Tongji IESD, Prof. Ying Wang, Director of Environmental Management and Planning Institute, College of Environmental Science and Engineering also attended the opening ceremony. Professor Ying Wang gave an introduction of Tongji University and IESD.

 group photo of opening ceremony 

2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation emphasized the support for Africa countries to participate in Belt and Road Initiative. South-South Cooperation provides a model to strengthen the contributions from Africa countries to Belt and Road Initiative, integrate the sustainable development goals into the process of urbanization of developing countries in order to better achieve United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development goals. 

In recent years, China has made great progress in green cities planning. Strengthening the communication with Africa countries can help two parties carry out further cooperation in economics, science, education and culture. Therefore, the workshop positively responds to 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

The 18 day workshop (14 October and 1 November) will discuss on the modules including sustainable cities, green urban planning, UN sustainable development goals and emerging environment issues and efficiency of energy and other areas. The workshop also includes the field trips to Suzhou, Zhenjiang and Nanjing. The visit will survey the experience of three cities in green cities planning and natural resource management.  

Author:

1. IESD：

http://unep-iesd.tongji.edu.cn/index.php?classid=168