New exhibition encapsulating the journey of Copenhagen and Beijing towards a sustainable future 

A new exhibition in Beijing opening 1 November will showcase how the capital cities of Denmark and China combat climate change by creating sustainable, green and safe urban spaces. 

More than half of the world’s population live in cities, and by 2050 another 2.5 billion people are expected to become city dwellers. In China, experts forecast that by 2025, around 65 percent of the population will be urban residents.

According to UN reports, cities are responsible for about 75 percent of global carbon emissions and urbanisation can make people more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Negative climate consequences such as drought, severe weather, inland flooding and storm surges are threatening cities and hundreds of millions urban residents around the globe. 

As the climate change progresses, what could be done to mitigate these devastating effects and adapt cities to remain liveable, functional and prosperous in the future? 

A new exhibition, which will take place in Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall, may offer some answers. 

Titled “Beijing-Copenhagen A Fairytale of Two Cities: Imagine the Sustainable Future of Cities,” the exhibition will showcase and discuss sustainable urban development with focus on three themes: Eco-Friendly Cities, Green Mobility in Cities and Child-Friendly Cities. 

Walking into the exhibition hall, visitors may feel like stepping into a mini “sponge city park” with bike lanes, green areas and amusement facilities for young children, designed for the purpose of climate change adaptation. Thanks to an array of pictures, texts, and animated films, visitors will be able to learn how holistic, sustainable urban planning makes cities such as Beijing and Copenhagen more resilient to the impacts of climate change. 

The exhibition not only highlights the urgent need for sustainable urban development, but also send a strong message that a sustainable future for our children is not just a fairy-tale; by working together to create greener cities, it can become a reality. 

In 2012 Beijing and Copenhagen signed a Sister Cities Agreement to develop a friendly, practical and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two capitals. Under the umbrella of this agreement, a very tangible cooperation has been ongoing since 2018 with joint projects related to “sponge city” design, wastewater treatment as well as energy efficiency in buildings.  

In celebration of the bilateral cooperation, various events will take place during the exhibition, including themed salons and interesting site visits. 

The exhibition will open to the public from 2 November until 11 December, 2022. 

For more events during the exhibition, please click here to download the draft programme.