China Landscape Architect

How not to fund urban renewal - livemint.com

Kanhu Charan Pradhan of livemint.com writes

”Continuing growth in India and China is now seen as essential for the world’s economic health. Urbanization is a necessary correlate, if not the engine of that growth. Our flagship urbanization programme is the Jawaharlal National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), directed at strengthening urban governance, providing basic services to the poor in 63 selected cities and enabling these to access capital markets to build infrastructure. Urban infrastructure and construction is a key candidate for replacing the diminished investment demand from industry and financing growth in this sector is necessary to maintain our pace of growth.”

continue reding more @ the SOURCE: livemint.com – How not to fund urban renewal - Views - livemint.com.

First Hotel Indigo(IHG) for Asia to be in Shanghai

Underscoring its leadership position in the Asia-Pacific, IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) signed a deal with the Shanghai Huangpu River Banks Asset Management Co., Ltd for its first Hotel Indigo® in the region to be located in Shanghai.

IHG announced the launch of its fast growing lifestyle brand to the region just last month. This partnership will see the world’s leading hotel group by number of rooms manage Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund. The hotel will be on a riverfront site along the Huangpu River that brings together the past, present and future of Shanghai.

IHG – Press Release

Wide Spread and Complex Climatic Changes Outlined in New UNEP Project Atmospheric Brown Cloud Report - (UNEP)

UNEP reports “Cities from Beijing to New Delhi are getting darker, glaciers in ranges like the Himalayas are melting faster and weather systems becoming more extreme, in part, due to the combined effects of man-made Atmospheric Brown Clouds (ABCs) and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

These are among the conclusions of scientists studying a more than three km-thick layer of soot and other manmade particles that stretches from the Arabian Peninsula to China and the western Pacific Ocean.”

SOURCE: UNEP - Press Release - Wide Spread and Complex Climatic Changes Outlined in New UNEP Project Atmospheric Brown Cloud Report - United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Enhancing HK’s cityscape

Landscape architecture - a profession that focuses on the shaping of outdoor space and improves the interaction between people and the environment - has become indispensable to public works in recent years as there is a growing demand for a green cityscape.

About 50 landscape architects are now serving various Government departments to provide landscape designs, which are aesthetically satisfying, ecologically sound and functional.

Read more @ the SOURCE: news.com.hk – Enhancing HK’s cityscape.

Sands Macau - finance needed and possible job losses

Various news agencies (AFP, Reuters) are reporting that the Sands Macau may be forced to layoff 9000–11000 workers as work is suspended on the its several projects in Macau as they look for financing of 1.2–2.0 billion USD to restart the work on the sites.

For more information read the SOURCE: International Herald Tribune – Las Vegas Sands to fire up to 11,000 Macau workers

China moves will revive property sales

Alibaba.com reports “China-focused developer Shimao Property expects the country’s ailing property sector to pick up in the first quarter next year as home buyers return to the market, and said it is confident of meeting its annual sales target thanks to moves by Beijing to stimulate demand.”
SOURCE: Alibaba.com – China moves will revive property sales.

10 billion yuan for transport infrastructures in the fourth quarter - People’s Daily Online

People Daily reports that “…….the PRC Ministry of Transport on November 11 that, according to the preliminary budget of 100 billion yuan allocated for the fourth quarter, the central government has arranged an investment of approximately 10 billion yuan geared towards transport infrastructure projects”

SOURCE: People’s Daily Online – 10 billion yuan for transport infrastructures in the fourth quarter -

Construction of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge expected to start in 2009 - People’s Daily Online

In an interview with the media from Hong Kong and Macao on November 11, Zhang Xiaoqiang, vice minister of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said if work from all parties is goes on smoothly and if conditions are ready, they will strive to start construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge by the end of 2009.

SOURCE: People’s Daily Online – Construction of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge expected to start in 2009 -

Quake relic park opens in Sichuan - Shanghai Daily

THE first Sichuan earthquake relic park opened today in Qingchuan County of Guangyuan City.

The park covers nearly 50 square kilometers and includes five villages and one town, Chengdu Business Daily reported today.

The area was the most heavily damaged by the May 12 earthquake that measured 8.0 on the Richter scale. Thirty-six quake lakes formed within the park’s area and other geological formations created by the quake can be seen.

SOURCE: Shanghai Daily – Quake relic park opens in Sichuan

Gubei plans to open city’s top pedestrian street in May - Shanghai Daily

“A FRENCH-STYLE pedestrian street will open in Shanghai’s Changning District in May.

Officials hope the 670-meter long stretch in Huangjinchengdao in the Gubei area becomes the top pedestrian street in the city, Oriental Morning Post reported today”

SOURCE: Gubei plans to open city’s top pedestrian street in May - Shanghai Daily