Sweco making Olympic host nation more climate-friendly

The Olympic Games are set to start in China and enormous efforts in preparation for this event have been underway in several areas. For Sweco, China is a well known market where the company’s in-depth expertise in sustainable development is increasingly sought after. We pose five questions to Jan Mattsson, President of Sweco’s architectural division.

Jan Mattsson, president of Sweco's architectural
division, tells about Sweco's current work in China.

1. What is Sweco currently working on in China?

“At the moment we are creating a sustainability plan for a new city in the Tangshan region, around 250 km east of Beijing. We are also involved in planning and design for an exhibition centre that will be used to showcase the latest in Swedish environmental technology. Sweco’s wide-ranging expertise can be put to use in a large number of areas.”

2. What is special about the Chinese market?

“China is special in that it gives us access to assignments of a different type than we see at home. Since the Chinese often plan for the construction of entire new cities, everything is very large-scale. This can be compared to Europe or Sweden, where it is more a question of adapting the existing structural environment. Sweden is not likely to plan for a new city the size of Uppsala.”

Sweco is involved in designing an exhibition
centre that will be used to showcase the latest
in Swedish environmental technology.

3. Have you noticed any difference in Chinese demand for services in connection with the Olympics?

“Preparations for the Olympic Games have been in progress for many years, so the level of activity right now is no higher than before. On the other hand, there is always a lot happening in China. The ambitions are high when it comes to eco-adaptation of society and Sweco is regularly commissioned for new assignments with a focus on the climate and sustainable development.”

4. What is the Chinese approach to sustainability compared to that in Sweden and Europe?

“In China they have the chance to do everything right from the very beginning. When Sweco plans a new city, we start with a blank paper and develop ecological solutions for everything from traffic flows, storm water management and energy systems to buildings and parks. It is rarely possible to take this kind of comprehensive approach in a European assignment. These projects are tremendously exciting since they allow Sweco to utilize the company’s full range of expertise.”

5. Will China’s environmental and climate initiatives continue even after the Olympics?

“Absolutely. This is no temporary trend – there is a continuously growing awareness about the importance of sustainability in China. They know what challenges lie ahead and have a long-term commitment to steering develop in the right direction.”