2010 Shanghai World Expo Forum-Tour Announcement

The American China City Alliance (ACCA) and the Urban Planning Society of China announce an exciting city planning forum and conferences, to be held in Shanghai and near Beijing in June, 2010. The Forum will feature leading Chinese, American, and European planners addressing how planning can reduce urban carbon emissions and build sustainable cities in the 21st century. Speakers include Johnathan Barnett FAIA, FAICP, Jan Gehl, FAIA, and Dr. Zhinqiang Wu, Chief Planner for he 2010 Shanghai World Expo. See details below for contact numbers, coordinated travel tour, cost, and forum programs.

What: An Exciting Trip to Shanghai and Beijing For the World Expo 2010 International Forum on Low-Carbon Livable City

-Attend two high profile forums and learn from the world's top experts on low-carbon livable city, eco-city, urban mobility, green building, sustainable civic space and neighborhood, green urban infrastructure, etc..

-Take relaxing guided tours to the fantastic 2010 Expo Park, brilliant world's national pavilions, great world's events, and various trendy ideas, projects, technologies and products at the Expo as well as throughout Shanghai city

-See and experience some of the world's oldest and newest wonders such as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Shanghai World Trade Center, Beijing National Stadium (Birdnest), the CCTV Building, etc.

-Discover business opportunities with Chinese government agencies, planning and design institutions, technology and product makers of green buildings and green roofs.

-Enjoy wonderful authentic Chinese foods, such as Emperor's banquette in the private garden of the Forbidden City, Peking Duck, Chinese gourmet foods of various styles, and experience in Shanghai and Beijing's bar districts, etc.

When: June 13-23, 2010 during the Shanghai World Expo opening days

Where:
1. Shanghai World Expo 2010 Park and Tongji University – one of China's top universities
2. Beijing, the city hosting the 2008 Olympic Games and near the Great Wall of China
3. Qinghuangdao, one of China's best beach resorts north of Beijing

Why:
China and America are two nations with the highest carbon emissions in the world. Therefore, city planners of the two countries are facing critical challenges with different situations yet the same responsibilities. Today, as global warming is quickly rising as an important international issue affecting every country, region, city and personal lives, Chinese and American city planners and architects can play irreplaceable roles.

How can we control our emissions and keep our city livable? How can we save energies and use alternative energies yet improve performance in building, transportation and urban infrastructures? Is it true that the more expensive the
housing gets, the more low-carbon and livable it is? Should we keep our cities widely spread out in order to improve qualities of lives, or find better solutions in a more compact and livable environment?

Many cities as well as individual scholars around the world have made enormous efforts in exploring new theories and alternatives for low emission and livable urban environments. It is our intention to bring some of the world's top experts and
a group of urban professionals to join with Chinese counterparts in Shanghai, taking an advantage of the 2010 World Expo, through their respective experiences and project examples, to explore sustainable planning strategies such as how to control carbon emission, enhance livability, improve urban mobility and land use efficiency.

The 2010 Shanghai World Expo, themed as "Better City, Better Life!" will also present an exploration of the full potential of urban life in the 21st century. Recent projections predict that by 2010 a large majority of the world's population will live in cities - a trend that will increase in the decades ahead. Within this context, the Expo will present advanced ideas in technology and science that create more eco-friendly environments and lifestyle enhancements for urban population centers.

Nations around the world will also expand on ideas for international cooperation in cultural, scientific and technological exchange at the Expo. At such a crucial juncture in history, what emerges from this gathering of people from such a wide swath of cultures and backgrounds will help define the 21st century. We invite you to witness, experience, enjoy the Expo, and to join us at the Forums to help foster a greater exchange of ideas vital to our futures as global citizens. Make yourself available, be a part of the energetic, and be a part of the future!

Sponsors:
-America-China City Alliance
-Major National and International Organizations
-Tongji University College of Architecture and Urban Planning

Note: We are currently accepting more responsible sponsors who care about their professional mission for low-carbon and livable city. WE DO NOT ACCEPT MONEY FROM SPONSORS. Sponsors may make a contribution by sponsoring 5 or more participants from their own companies or organizations, other guests or current college students from the US to the forums and associated trip. (Guest:$4300ea, Student: $3600ea) Special arrangements may be made for sponsorship for interested major national, international organizations and governmental agencies by sending an email with contact information to [email protected], or [email protected].

Forum-tour Programs/Itinerary

June 13 – Fly from LAX to Beijing

June 14 – Morning: Arrive in Beijing and take a rest. Afternoon: guided tour of Tian An Men Square, Forbidden City, etc. Evening: Emperor's banquette at the Emperor's
Restaurant in the private garden of the Forbidden City, followed by visiting the famous Back Sea Bar District in part of the old Emperor's Garden.

June 15 – Morning: guided tour of CCTV Building, 2008 Olympic Park and National Stadium(the Bird's Nest), etc. Afternoon: Professional meet-and-greet for business
opportunities with Chinese government officials, planning and design professionals, and developers, etc. Evening: A Peking Duck banquet, followed by an evening walk in the commercial district

June 16 - Guided tour to the Great Wall and a farmer's village

June 17 – Morning: Guided tour to some of Beijing's old Hutong neighborhoods, new and affordable housing areas, subway stations, and/or green building projects, etc. Afternoon: Fly to Shanghai and Forum registration

June 18 - Forum Day.
A preliminary agenda includes:
Theme: Visions and Strategies on Low-Carbon Livable City
(More speech proposals at the forum can still be accepted.)
Morning:
1st session: Visions
Confirmed keynote speakers include:
The Expo 2010 Park Plan and Low-Carbon Livable City
By Dr. Zhiqiang Wu, Chief Planner for The 2010 Shanghai World Expo Park, former Dean of Tongji University College of Architecture and Urban Planning

Urban Design for Sustainability in the New Century
By Professor Jonathan Barnett, FAIA, FAICP, world renowned author and scholar Livable City in Human Dimensions for the 21st Century By Jan Gehl, Hon. FAIA, world renowned author, professor, Dr. Litt. architect MAA, Int. FRBA, Hon. FAIA
(Other keynote speakers may be added.)
(Coffee break)

2nd session: Strategies
Low-carbon Livable City by Governmental Policy – the new California Low-Carbon Law
By John Dugan, AICP, Development Director, City of Fresno, California,
former Deputy Planning Director of Los Angeles
Sustainable Urban Mobility
By Tian, Feng, FAIA, FCSI, Chief Architect for the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit

Metro Based Planning for Livable City -- The Arlington Experience
By Robert Brosnan, Planning Chief, Arlington

From TOD to TUD: Exploring a New Planning Model for Transit Based Development
By Lu Hou, AICP, President of America-China City Alliance

An Overview on China's High-speed Rail and Urban Transit Development
By Xu Shuangniu, Chief Engineer of China Urban Rail Engineering and Construction, Ltd. Co.

(Lunch Time Presentation: Greenroofs for Low-Carbon Livable City and/or book-signing by Barnett, Gehl and Wu)

Afternoon:
A Dialogue with Experts: Low-Emission, Livability, Today and Tomorrow
An Open Dialogue with International Colleagues
Evening: Dinner party

June 19 - Guided tours to the Expo Park: focusing on planning, design and new technologies applied in some of the national pavilions. Evening: A special Chinese show is optional, followed with optional bar activities of new and old friends.

June 20 - Guided tours to the Expo Park: focusing on planning, design and new technologies applied in some of the national pavilions. And/or, guided tours to Shanghai's low-carbon and ecological demonstration projects, including green buildings, eco-neighborhoods, livable public spaces, agricultural, industrial parks, etc.
Evening: An exciting guided boat tour to the Expo Park on the Huangpu River is recommended, followed with optional bar activities of new and old friends.

June 21 –Morning: Special Event with Professor Jonathan Barnett and Dr. Wu, Zhiqiang (Revelation of Shanghai World Expo: Sustainability and Livability), followed with book-signing
by Barnett and Wu. Afternoon: Forum finished, fly to Beijing and drive to Qinghuangdao

June 22 –Attend China Urban Development and Planning International Conference in Qinghuangdao, one of China's best beach resorts near Beijing.

The conference is sponsored by China Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, ACCA and other major national and international organizations. The Conference Agenda will become available soon on designated websites. To receive an electronic copy, please write a request to [email protected]. Morning: Join main conference. Afternoon: Seminars. Evening: Social time

June 23: Farewell lunch party, drive to Beijing International Airport and fly back to LAX (arrive on the same date)

Who to attend:
Government officials, city planners, architects, landscape architects, engineers, urban researchers, advocates, educators, college students, and interested individuals.

Exhibits
For space limits at the Forum site, each vendor will have a small space only for information distribution and consultation purposes. The vendor cost is $800, which covers one person's entry to the Forum, a table and a chair. For space availability and arrangement, please write to [email protected].

Itinerary
A brief Schedule:
June 13 Fly from LAX to Beijing
June 14 Guided tours in Beijing
June 15 Guided tour and exchange activities in Beijing
June 16 Guided tour to the Great Wall
June 17 Fly to Shanghai and forum registration
June 18 Forum day
June 19 Guided tour to Expo Park
June 20 Guided tour in Expo Park
June 21 Special Event before forum finished and travel to Beijing
June 22 Qinhuangdao Conference
June 23 Fly back to LAX

Costs:
All-in-One Package: $4300/person for early registration (before April 29), including registration fee, two-way airfare(economic class) from LAX to Shanghai, domestic and local travel in China, two Expo fast-entry tickets, 8-day food and lodging(4/5 star hotel), all activities above. (subject to cancellation under 20 participants)

Note:
1) Not including travel expenses between your home city and LAX
2) Not including airport taxes $310
3) Not including China Visa $160
4) Single supplement adds $310

For detailed itinerary and price information, go to www.ChinaDiscoveryTours.com.

Registration Process:
1) Send an email to [email protected]; Please provide:
your full name, job title, current employer, contact information (postal address, email address and telephone number), number of participants, special requests, etc.
2) This tour is processed via China Discovery Tours (www.ChinaDiscoveryTours.com) of Los Angeles, CA. They can be reached Toll Free at 1-866-99 CHINA (992-4462). An initial deposit of $300 for each participant is required;
3) Visa processing must be taken care of ASAP. Please rush deliver your passports to:
China Discovery Tours, ACCA Shanghai World Expo Forum-Tour Program, 20407 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503;
4) Write a personal check to China Discovery Tours with the rest of the balance for your Option and rush deliver it to China Discovery Tours at the same address above;
5) Book your flight from your home city to LAX to allow yourself to arrive in LAX BEFORE 9pm on June 12; (cheap flights available through China Discovery Tours)
6) Make sure you or your representative are reachable for any travel updates.
(Note: an international health insurance is advised.)

Registration Website: www.chinadicoverytours.com
Telephone: Toll Free: 1-866-99 CHINA (992-4462)
Nationwide: 1-888-371-3228
Tel: 310-802-7100 (Local)
Fax: 310-370-4987

Questions and Contacts:
The Organizing Committee of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai International Forum on Low-Carbon Livable City
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Telephone: 86+13501104079, 86+13161880880 (Beijing)
April 6, 2010