Chengdu Universiade preparation highlights green development

Dongan Lake Sports Park, the main venue of the 31st Summer Universiade, is under construction in Longquanyi district, Chengdu, Sichuan province. [Photo by Liu Bin / For China Daily]

Chengdu, the capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, has been highlighting environmental sustainability during preparations for the 31st Summer Universiade, which is scheduled to be held in the city from Aug 18 to 29.

"The construction of the venues strictly implements environmental sustainability," said Chen Zhongyi, an official from the Chengdu Universiade executive committee in charge of venue construction, who added that the construction work is progressing smoothly.

The city plans to build or renovate 49 venues for the Universiade. As of the end of 2020, it had completed the construction of seven new venues and the renovation of 14 existing venues. All the venues are scheduled to be completed by the end of April 2021, according to Chen.

Renovations have been completed on Qingbaijiang Culture and Sports Center, the basketball venue for the Chengdu Universiade. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Chen said the construction of the venues is in strict accordance with the national green building standards, enabling natural ventilation, solar energy utilization and water recycling, and reducing energy consumption and the emission of carbon dioxide.

Also, a series of measures have been taken during venue construction to protect the environment and save energy, he added.

"Thanks to the implementation of the green standards, the environment around the venues is greatly improved," said another official from the Chengdu Universiade executive committee.

Visitors to Dongan Lake Sports Park, the main venue of the Universiade, can enjoy the beautiful scenery around the lake and take in splendid views of Longquan Mountain to the east of the park from a 29-meter sightseeing platform.

The park is also equipped with a 10-kilometer-long lakeside trail, a library, a theater, an art center and other living facilities to enrich citizens' lives.

Chengdu Open-air Music Park will be the venue for the closing ceremony of the Chengdu Universiade. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Across the whole city, communities and streets take on a new look as illegal buildings and other structures are removed to add open space. More trees and grassy areas are being planted, and sports and cultural facilities are being set up.

Volunteers of the Chengdu Universiade and community workers have been actively carrying out campaigns to help residents develop a green and low-carbon lifestyle. The goal is to mobilize the public to help maintain the city's beautiful living environment.

Chengdu is also striving to build a green traffic system integrating urban rail, buses and bikes. The total length of the city's rail transit network had reached 558 kilometers by December 2020, ranking fourth in the country. "Universiade version" shared bicycles have also appeared on the streets to facilitate citizens' green travel.