As the 2008 Olympics nears, the environment, a
constant worry for Olympic organizers, is drawing more attention from the
public.
Simulated photo of the
National Aquatics Center (L) and the National Stadium.
[File] |
Beijing has launched a Green Olympics program since it began preparing for
the games in order to improve the city's notorious air quality.
Under the program, the state-owned steel producer Shougang is being moved
from the west of the city to Hebei Province, energy-saving and environmently
friendly materials are becoming more popular in construction, and the recycling
and reuse of waste is being encouraged in all industries in Beijing.
In order to build two man-made rivers in the Shunyi Olympic Rowing and
Canoeing Park, 2 million cubic metres of soil was displaced. How to deal with
the soil became a big problem for the workers.
If the soil is transported to other places, It would take a total of 200,000
trucks carrying one load each to transport all the displaced earth.
It was then decided that the soil would be used to construct the planned
8-meter-high hill for the park. The soil was successfully changed into a usable
material after workers experimented with several combinations of earth, cement
and other materials.
The reuse of steel residue in the National Stadium, the collection and
utilization of rainfall in twelve new gymnasiums and stadiums, and a sewage
air-conditioning system in the Olympic village will all help reduce pollution
and energy consumption.
For the Beijing Shooting Range currently under construction, architect Qi Bin
designed a double-deck breathing wall, which uses an air space between two glass
walls to control the room temperature and promote air circulation. The wall will
reduce annual electricity consumption by 30 percent.
Olympics Research Centre expert Jin Yuanpu said the Green Olympics concept
requires focusing on how to fully utilize and preserve natural resources when
building large projects. In 2007 when the projects are finished, Beijing will
have a pollution-free National Stadium, a transparent Water Cube and a National
Indoor Stadium with glass walls, all of which will be environmentally
friendly.
