Delivering sustainable communities: A case study in China

Purpose - China’s accelerated urbanization leads directly to pressure on the urban environment. This research aims to identify best practices involved in a real sustainable community projects for the experience to be replicated in future. Design approach - A case study was conducted on the 'Linked Hybrid' in Beijing, China. The case study involved both document analysis and semi-structured interviews. The document analysis was conducted on project information sheets, reports and the results of a survey of the residents. The interviews on the other hand were conducted with key practitioners involved in the project. Findings - The findings identify the green technologies and strategies used in the project planning and design process. The social considerations of the project development are also recognized in providing comfort, convenience and safety for their residents. Furthermore, the research highlights the fact that sustainable communities can incur less operational costs compared with traditional ones and therefore provide a feasible option for clients with a greater capability for upfront investment. Originality/significance - The results of the research provide valuable references for developers in the development of sustainable communities in both China and other countries.