Ministry of Land and Resources Training Graduates Fifty-Six | October 2006
On October 20, 2006 the China US Center for Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Land and Resources and Portland State University celebrated the sixth year of our partnership in convening the China US Sustainable Land Use Training Program. In 2006, a total of fifty-six senior land use planners in two delegations participated in the program. In the past six years, over 450 government leaders from all regions of China have traveled to the US to be a part of the Center’s training initiative.
The intensive training is held in Portland, Oregon with the delegations then visiting other US cities from Los Angeles to New York. In the past two years, Arizona State University has joined as a valued training partner.
The goal of the training is not to view the US as a model but rather to share successes and “not-so-successes” throughout the country. China cannot afford to adopt the US-resource intensive model of development…and China’s leaders are well aware of this.
The training is grounded in cradle to cradle principles which recognize the fundamental importance of design as presented by William A. McDonough and Michael Braungart. The training sessions combine classroom lectures with hands-on site visits. Following each session, there is a rigorous evaluation both by the participants and the training team to seek constant improvement and relevancy of the training experience. Over the years, the interaction among the presenters and the participants has increased exponentially with many of the session this year being “quite lively.”
In this year’s evaluations, participants once again highlighted the value of learning about US experiences related to citizen participation in land use planning, integrating environmental assessments into land use decisions and the importance of urban growth boundaries in managing growth. The China US Center would like to especially express appreciation to the City of Portland and their Office of Sustainable Development, Bureau of Planning, and Bureau of Environmental Services, as well as the METRO regional government and the many public, private and university supporters who contribute so much to this program.
It is only fitting that the Center recognize, due in part to this spirit of volunteerism, that Portland, Oregon was named the ”#1 Sustainable City in the United States for 2006” by SustaineLane. While such awards are fleeting, this is recognition for a city that has sought to create a place where commerce, community and nature can thrive and prosper in harmony. Congratulations to Portland and now…what’s next?
For more information on the Center, please contact us at info@chinauscenter.org.