Three Gorges Dam and Dongtan Eco City

Question 1

What has caused flooding in China?

Answer 1

• China has monsoon seaons between June and August
• the increased discharge in the river causes flooding

Question 2

What has been the consequences of flooding?

Answer 2

• Over the last century, there have been 5 major floods in 1954, over 33,000 deaths and 18 million moved

Question 3

How much has flooding cost China?

Answer 3

around 25 billion dollars

Question 4

How many people would the three gorges dam provide power for?

Answer 4

It would provide power to 10% of people in China

Question 5

How many people has the dam reduce flooding for?

Answer 5

15 million people

Question 6

How much energy does the dam provide?

Answer 6

The dam’s 32 main turbines are capable of generating as much eneregy as 18 nuclear power stations

Question 7

How many people have been displaced due to the three gorges dam?

Answer 7

1.3 million and 150 towns had to be moved (loss of business and trade)

Question 8

Positive economic impacts of the three gorges dam

Answer 8

1. preventing flood
2. providing water
3. generate energy (especially green energy)
4. tourism

Question 9

How has the three gorges dam provided water?

Answer 9

It is able to hold millions of gallons of water during rainy seasons to be used in times of drought

Question 10

Positive social impact of three gorges dam

Answer 10

1. water supply
2. protection from flood

Question 11

Negative social impact of three gorges dam

Answer 11

1. displacement of people/migration
2. destruction of agricultural land

Question 12

Negative economic impacts of three gorges dam

Answer 12

1. expensive
2. destruction of environment

Question 13

What has been the impact of the dam on the environment?

Answer 13

The destruction of wetland habitats and ecosystems

Question 14

How many people does the dam provide water for?

Answer 14

It provides a steady supply for 8 million people

Question 15

What did the government do for those who were displaced by the dam?

Answer 15

• They were promised compensation for their losses, new homes and jobs but not all have received this
• According to an article, over $30 million funds that were set aside has been taken by corrupt local officials

Question 16

What has been the impact of dams on historical sites?

Answer 16

The dam has flooded fertile agricultural land and over 8,000 historical sites and monuments (including the Zhangfei temple)

Question 17

Is it likely that the dam will provide energy?

Answer 17

In the future, this is unlikely.
* Economic growth in China has been far more rapid than predicted = increase in demand for energy
* The dam might not produce 10% of electricity like estimated so China will continue to rely on coal

Question 18

When did the construction of the three gorges happen?

Answer 18

Construction on the Yangtze River began in 1994 and was the largest engineering project in China
* It was completed in 2006 and was the largest dam structure in the world

Question 19

What is the expected cost of the Three Gorges dam and how long did it take?

Answer 19

• it took almost two decades
• 37 billion dollars

Question 20

What are the aims of the three gorges dam?

Answer 20

• to reduce flooding
• to improve navigation for shipping
• to generate electricity from hydro-electricity power

Question 21

How many deaths did flooding from the Yangtze river cause?

Answer 21

300,000

Question 22

Three Gorges Dam conclusion

Answer 22

• One of the most controversial multi-purpose river management schemes, the Three Gorges Dam Project has already had major social, economic and environmental impacts on the country and will continue to do so in the future.
• Despite this, it is likely to be the first of many such massive schemes,
• E.g 4 new dams are planned along the Yangtze and its tributaries, including one that will flood the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Question 23

Will the three gorges dam be helpful in the future?

Answer 23

• As China continues to develop its economy, the need to provide power, transport and water for a population eager to enjoy the benefits of increased prosperity will continue to increase.
• However, with such a vast population, this demand will place a huge strain both on its own and on global resources.

Question 24

What does sustainable development mean?

Answer 24

a form of development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”

Question 25

How does Dongtan city compare to typical developments?

Answer 25

• 66% less energy required
• 60% smaller ecological footprint
• 40% of its energy from bio-energy

Question 26

What is the importance of Dongtan city?

Answer 26

• Planners and architects say that it is not only possible to create more sustainable cities, it is vital because the world is becoming increasingly urban.
• China is the world’s largest contributor to carbon emissions and the need to eco-living is critical

Question 27

What are some key features of Dongtan features?

Answer 27

• Work
• Residential areas
• Environment
• Transport
• Energy
• Waste

Question 28

How will Dongtan city help with work?

Answer 28

Industrial and commercial areas will provide local employment opportunities

Question 29

How will Dongtan city build residential areas?

Answer 29

• Homes built along canals and will have wind micro-turbines to reduce energy bills.
• Local shops, schools, nurseries and a health centre near by.

Question 30

How will Dongtan city help the environment?

Answer 30

60% of the land will be green space, pollution regulations will be enforced

Question 31

What will transport be like in Dongtan city?

Answer 31

• Dongtan will have fully integrated public transport system, solar-powered water taxis and hydrogen fuel-cell cars.
• Cycle paths and pedestrian walkways will reduce vehicle use.

Question 32

How will Dongtan city deal with waste?

Answer 32

The aim is to achieve 90% waste recycling, with human sewage processed for composting and waste water processed for use in farming.

Question 33

What are some environmental regulations in Dongtan eco city?

Answer 33

• The project aimed for ‘zero emissions’
• aimed to recycled waste with renewable energy systems planned for Dongtan
• the city would ban cars, recycle water and surround itself with organic farms, forests and golf courses

Question 34

What is a proper example of a eco-city?

Answer 34

• Tianjin is now the world’s largest eco-city and was a collaborative project between the Chinese and Singaporean government
• fails to reach 350K population target by a large margin after 14 years of development

Question 35

Chengdu (as an eco city)

Answer 35

• located in the southwest with a resident population of more than 16 million people.
• The city has a 40.9% urban green coverage downtown and a percentage forest cover of 38.7%.
• It is also planning to build a greenway system with a main roas of about 1500km long.

Question 36

Disadvantages of the Dongtan city

Answer 36

• While Dongtan holds great promise for applying new technologies toward the reduction of pollution and resource consumption, it also risks further marginalizing less powerful sectors of the population and counteracting ecological benefits by developing on protected land and paving the way for automobile commutes to the mainland.

Question 37

How has the Three Gorges Dam displaced people/lead to forced migration?

Answer 37

• although new housing was provided for those forced to move, many people were not compensated fairly.
• some of thew new designated areas were also less ideal geographically, not secure, or lacked agriculturally productive soil