Beijing 2022 and sustainability: a new development for the region

by Chiara Aruffo

With just a few days to go before the start of the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, let’s have a look at the sustainability plan: in this third in-depth article we talk about the development at regional level.

The second sustainability objective for the Beijing 2022 Winter Games concerns the regional development, building on the legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Nowadays, the focus goes beyond the city itself to look at the regional level, thus including the peripheral district of Yanqing, and the province of Hebei where Zhangjiakou is located. The hope is that the Games will contribute not only to an improvement in regional environmental quality but also to an increase in the local economy and the strengthening of city development.

Specifically, there are four actions directly linked to this regional development objective:

– Infrastructure: build a transport network between cities through the development of high-speed trains with multiple lines; improve accessibility.

– Services: strengthen cooperation between Beijing and Zhangjiakou in medical services, healthcare and education.

– Industrial development: launch new growth areas in the winter and sports industries.

– Urban regeneration: contribute to sustainable urban development by accelerating the construction of Shougang Park, developing a winter sports centre in Yanqing and promoting international exchange opportunities for Zhangjiakou.

First article: vision and objectives

Second article: environmental impact

Cover picture: credits Xinhua/Jiang Wenyao