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Plans for an eco-city in China inspire a green neighborhood in London

The world's largest eco-city is soon to be built in China, on an island at the mouth of the Yangtze River near Shanghai. Dongtan, being developed by London's Arup Urban Design, will consist of village-style neighborhoods and will emphasize pedestrian-friendliness, renewable-energy generation, and self-sufficiency in water and food. The city aims to generate zero carbon emissions and will have no landfill. It should be able to support a population of 80,000 by 2020, which may be not a moment too soon, as an estimated 300 million people will migrate from the Chinese countryside to cities over the next 15 years. While visiting China last month, London Mayor Ken Livingstone introduced plans for a 1,000-home, zero-carbon development modeled on Dongtan. The London community, initially proposed by Greenpeace, will also be designed by Arup. Copycats.