Eriksson Architects participated as Leading Planner for a Finnish team together with local Chinese partners in the invited international competition for Tianjin Sino-Singapore Eco-City. Eriksson Architects was one of six shortlisted offices all around the world and in our office more than nine architects worked with the project for three months. Our entry “Chrystal Lake” was proved equally highly qualified as all other entries. The Sino-Singapore Eco-City site is located in Tianjin Binhai New Area, between the two districts Hangu and Tanggu, 15 km from the core area of Tianjin Binhai New Area.

In our proposal we designed a Next Generation Eco-City for 350 000 new inhabitants living in an ecologically sustainable environment. The leading idea was that Chrystal Lake Eco-City can offer all the same services and functions as any a modern city, but in a more green and sustainable environment than ever before designed.

The Chrystal Lake Eco-City is divided into small neighborhoods with unique urban themes and architecture. Parks, gardens, protected green areas and pedestrian walkways create a Next Generation Green Network that covers most of the city. Green Network connects all residential, public and business areas together. Pedestrian walkways are situated inside the blocks to separate vehicle traffic from slow moving traffic. Energy use, conservation and on site production have been given special care. Water recycling and automated waste management are implemented throughout the city. Existing wetlands, lake and river areas will be purified by creating additional wetlands in the Green network and managing them as a nature preserve areas. Chrystal Lake Eco-City offers a high quality of living in a new environment that will be the first example of a real sustainable urban design and a model for future Eco-Cities not only in China but all over the world.