Master Plan

Introduction

The Master Plan of Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city lays down the guidelines for the Eco-city's development as a scaleable, practicable and replicable model for sustainable development for other cities in China and around the world. It was jointly developed by the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design, the Tianjin Institute of Urban Planning and Design, and the Singapore planning team led by the Urban Redevelopment Authority. It has been endorsed by the Ministerial-level Eco-city Joint Working Committee and will be submitted to the Tianjin Municipal Government for formal approval in due course.

In the planning of the Tianjin Eco-city, one of the main guiding principles was to adopt a holistic approach towards creating and designing a liveable, efficient and compact city, which would be developed in an ecologically sound and environmentally sustainable manner. The intention is for development to take place around a central core of conserved ecological wetlands and rehabilitated water bodies. The main centre of the Eco-city will be located on the southern bank of a historical thousand-year old

river course, which has been planned for a variety of uses, including commercial, cultural and recreational uses. This will allow for a varied live-work-play environment close to the natural environment, and provide easy public access to the waterfront.

A comprehensive green transport network, i.e. non-motorised and public transport, will be developed in the Eco-city. A light rail transit system will serve as the main mode of transport through the Eco-city. Green open spaces and public amenities will be interspersed amongst the residential developments to facilitate recreation and social interaction.

A key consideration in the formulation of the Master Plan is the need to strike a good balance between environmental protection and economic development. Apart from the main city centre containing offices, hotels and other commercial uses, commercial sub-centres will also be located in each of the suburban areas to provide employment opportunities for the residents and reduce their need for commuting. There will also be dedicated service industry parks, university and hospital sites located within the Eco-city, which will contribute to the long-term economic vibrancy of the Eco-city in a sustainable manner.


Special Features of the Master Plan

The basic building block of the Eco-city Master Plan is a single cell, or "Eco-Cell", that serves to integrate the different land uses within a modular 400m by 400m grid. Educational institutions, commercial areas, workplaces and recreational areas are distributed within these Eco-Cells and located close to the residential areas to minimize commuting. Together, these Eco-Cells add up to form neighbourhoods, districts, and eventually the urban centres.

Another highlight of the Master Plan is an "Eco-Valley" running through the Eco-city as a north-south connector. It serves as the main ecological green spine and incorporates water-sensitive urban design elements, such as eco-swales and dry streams. The Eco-Valley will connect the major transit nodes, residential areas, community facilities and commercial centres. It will be a key public open space and focal point of the Eco-city.