Eco-Cities Help Realize Sustainable Urban Development
Chinese Society for Urban Studies and United Technologies Corporation Launch the Multi-Year “Eco-city Assessment and Best Practices Program” in China

(Harbin, China, July 11, 2009) United Technologies Corporation today signed an agreement with Chinese Society for Urban Studies (CSUS) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Rural Development (MoHURD) to support a multi-year research project and campaign launched by CSUS promoting eco-city practices in China.

An advisory board and expert panel comprised of China’s policy makers and leading academics in the area of energy efficiency, environmental protection and urban planning will be formed by China Society of Urban Studies (CSUS). This Eco-city Index System will be used as a measurement tool to both guide and measure China’s eco-city planning and development as well as existing eco-city practices in China. At the end of each program year, CSUS will publish a best practices report on China’s eco-cities, and propose policy and development strategies for China eco-city planning and development.

While China is in the midst of rapid urban development with urbanization expected to reach 50% by 2010 and 60% by 2020, it will face serious in resources and in ecological environment challenges.  

“Life-threatening global environmental problems and limitations on resource consumption demand a restructuring of current urban development systems in China for long-term energy efficient and environment-friendly urban development,” said Mr. Li Xun, Secretary General of Chinese Society of Urban Studies, “Eco-city is a path to achieve a sustainable China urban development. We thank UTC for its generous support to help make this initiative possible. The program and campaign shall surely encourage more China cities to embrace eco-city concepts and practices and help cities learn best practices from each other. ”

“At UTC environment responsibility and profitability go hand in hand. We do this through constant innovation and a relentless focus on doing always doing more with less. ”said Jim Gradoville, President for United Technologies International Operations in China, “We are passionate about the issues that affect our society and are committed to the belief that successful businesses improve the human condition.”

“UTC has been longstanding partners of CSUS and MoHURD,” said Jim Gradoville, “UTC employs 16,000 people in China and has been operating in China for decades. This initiative is a way of UTC ’s contribution towards the development of energy efficiency and a sustainable society in China. We want to both contribute and learn along the way.”

Chinese Society for Urban Studies (CSUS) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Rural Development of China, is a leading China national organization dedicated to research, public education, policy recommendation and demo project facilitation in the area of sustainable urban development and planning. Its programs have covered: sustainable urban development strategy, eco-design and management, heritage conservation, safety and disaster response, waste management, etc. Mr. Wan Li, the former premier, and Mr. Li Ruihuan, the former Chairman of National Political Consultative Conference, serve as its honorary chairmans while Vice Minister Qiu Baoxing as it board chairman. Mr. Li Xun provides oversight and leadership to its operation.

United Technologies Corporation (UTC) is a leader in global industry innovation headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, USA. It has more than 220,000 employees and does business in approximately 180 countries. UTC was named "Most Admired" aerospace and defense company (2001-2007 lists, Fortune) and Dow Jones Sustainability Index company since 1999, ranking as the 39th largest U.S. corporation (2008, Fortune Magazine) and 123rd in the world (2008, Fortune Magazine, Global 500). With disciplined and proven approach to profitability and environmental responsibility, UTC provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the building systems and aerospace industries.