China-US Sustainable Development

The first China-US professional exchange on the issue of regional sustainable development hosted by the University of Washington’s China Studies Program and College of Architecture and Urban Planning is scheduled for May 5-9th, 2009.

The event will happen in multiple venues around the Seattle area and include a mix of expert lectures by Chinese and American development experts, scenario planning, case study tours, and cross-cultural dialogue. Government policy makers, planners, designers, and engineers, and local and civic leaders operating at the campus, neighborhood, and community levels from both countries are invited to come together to discuss the many similar challenges they face meeting the economic, environmental and social needs of present and future generations. In addition to exchanging knowledge and solutions, the workshop is intended to forge partnerships to help solve pressing problems on specific projects, and to facilitate long-term cross-cultural relationships. Several delegations from China cities have already expressed interest in participating. Although interpreters will be present, all plenary sessions will be conducted in English.

In addition to the UW, workshop planners include the King County Department of Natural Resources and O’Brien & Company in Seattle. Additional support for the program is being provided by Washington State Governor’s office, the City of Seattle’s Department of Planning and Development.

As part of the exchange event, a free public workshop will be held May 8, from 9 am to 12 noon at Seattle’s City Hall. A panel of experts from China as well as American design professionals (such as David Rousseau) working on community development projects in China will be presenting and participating in a facilitated dialogue on regional sustainable development in China.

For more information, please visit http://courses.washington.edu/uschina/