Fuzhou, China

Fuzhou, capital of Fujian province, is located on the southeast coast of China, with a coastline stretching 340 kilometers and three excellent deep-water ports. It is known as the provincial capital city with the second-highest forest coverage rate in China, and has rich natural resources and a history of 2,200 years.

However, Fuzhou’s continuous and rapid urbanization process over the past 40 years has also brought huge pressure on natural resources and ecological environment. Responding to typhoons, floods and other disasters caused by global climate change and meeting the needs of local people for high-quality life have become huge challenges for Fuzhou.

For sustainable development, Fuzhou is accelerating economic structural adjustment while maintaining stable and sustainable economic development, focusing on the green economy and the digital economy. Taking urban resilience and safety as the bottom line, it is committed to promoting water conservation, enhancing flood control and drainage capabilities, implementing urban water system management projects, optimizing water resource allocation, and reducing water use and waste. These measures aim to create a safe, resilient city and build a sustainable future for Fuzhou.

For environment, Fuzhou implements the ecological protection and restoration plan for the mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes and grasslands in the Minjiang River Basin to promote biodiversity protection. Meanwhile, it is strengthening the management and control of marine garbage to protect the marine ecosystem, and implementing the Fuzhou TOD strategy to promote construction of green transportation infrastructure and public transportation. Efforts are also made to develop clean energy, reduce carbon emissions, and respond to climate change.

For social development, Fuzhou strives to promote sustainable communities, improve public services, and encourage communities and residents to participate in urban management and development.

In 2016, Fuzhou launched comprehensive management of the city’s water system. This project focuses on the treatment and improvement of 139 inland rivers, lakes and reservoirs in the urban area.

A typical example is the Liuhua River treatment project: 4.4 kilometers in length, construction of 7 kilometers of sewage interception pipelines, 22 interception wells, and one reservoir. Under the project, 638,000 cubic meters of river garbage and waste were collected, which improved the area’s flood-control and drainage capabilities and its ability to withstand and recover from natural disasters such as typhoons and heavy rains. In addition, the project helps to ensure safe, livable and resilient urban settlements for 133,000 residents along the river, especially 78,000 low- and middle-income people.

The “City of Thousand Gardens” initiative is also worth mentioning. Under the initiative, Fuzhou has made active attempts to build urban ecological corridors and promote ecological restoration. In recent years, 650,000 trees have been planted, allowing people to find parks within 500 meters. The city has built 1,003 parks and green spaces, with a per capita green space area of 14.8 square meters.

Moreover, since 2016, Fuzhou has been building sustainable communities to ensure “green and eco-friendly development” and “no one will be left behind”. It spares no effort to reduce carbon emissions, build “15-minute living circles”, and reduce energy consumption and garbage generation. It also pays attention to disadvantaged groups, and carries out urban renewal to meet the needs of children.

Thanks to these efforts, Fuzhou has seen continuous improvement in urban environment and development, creating a new model of harmonious coexistence between man and nature.