In the run up to the Olympics, Beijing was perhaps the most active construction site globally. It was a massive concert of cranes and cement that built some of the most advanced event venues, transportation networks, and parks.
For many, including myself, it was a process that left little doubt as to where the environment stood, and how often it stood in the way, but a recent presentation on the planning of Beijing’s Olympic Park by Hu Jie showed that at times the environment (and respecting it) was at the forefront.
It is a 170 pages (Download here), and honestly worth reviewing every page over a cup of coffee. I was particularly impressed by the effort and thought they put towards the water plan, and one can only hope that this can serve some wider goal going forward as Beijing and other regions look to solve their water issues.