WATT DRIVES CHINA?

A research based on the sustainable and technological innovations in China and e!ciency within the Chinese culture.

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Published byIRPdelftMekelweg 2 Room 8a.1.42628 CD Delft The Netherlands

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Copyright © 2010 All rights reserved. This report, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any infor-mation storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without written permission from the publisher.

DisclaimerAll observations were made in Shanghai. Therefore the reader should keep in mind that any conclusion drawn about China

“IT IS AS IF YOU ARE INVESTIGATING AN ELEPHANT BLINDFOLDED. IF YOU TOUCH THE BELLY, YOU THINK OF A WALL; IF YOU TOUCH THE FEET, YOU THINK OF A TRUNK; IF TOUCH ITS EAR, YOU MIGHT THINK IT IS SOME CLOTH.”

BING YU, COMMENTING ON OUR RESEARCH.

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Delft, 22 September 2010

This report discusses the current state regarding energy saving methods in Shanghai, China. The research conducted was commissioned by Pilgrims Con-

research projects for companies in an international context.

This project would have been impossible without the help of the many people that assisted us preparing the project and during our stay in Shanghai. First of all we would like to thank Nico Blaauw and Mark Blaisse of Pilgrims Consult for providing the opportunity to carry out such an amazing project. Our gratitude goes out to Lianne Sleebos for supporting us throughout the entire project. Furthermore we thank all employees of Pilgrims Consult who as-sisted in the realization of this report. Our thanks also go out to Kelly and Din who were our guides and of great help during our stay in Shanghai. We

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also received great help from Dirk Jan Boudeling, Ming Eikelenboom and the other staff members of the Dutch Consulate and a big thank-you goes out to them. Special thanks go out to Frank Zuidweg of Nikon, Netherlands for supplying a camera for the pictures in this report. Finally we would like to thank all the people that helped us with this project and were willing to meet with us during our stay in Shanghai. Sadly we cannot mention everybody but all the help was much needed and appreciated!

Roeland van Elsas Dafni EvangelouTobias Gutleb Sebastiaan Lemmens

PREFACE

INDEX

Observations 7 Mind-map 8 Transport 10 Public Space 11 Culture 12 Recycling 14 Work 15 Quality 16 Architecture 17 Personal Comfort 18

Business Interests 21

Conclusions 25

Appendices 29Interviews 31 Visits 65

Daily 4 95

Contacts 109

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OBSERVATIONSOBSERVATIONS

Observation is of great importance in research. By expe-riencing the surroundings and learning from cultural dif-ferences, increased insight and improved results can be acquired. Looking further and thinking without boundar-ies is elementary in reaching the goals. With these obser-vations the reader is invited to think along and encour-aged to look further than the text and images.

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CHINA

ArchitectureEco-Cities

Energy

Design

EXPO

WorkHierarchy

Cheap Labor

Time

E ciency

Public Space Behavior

Nature

Heat

Energy

Personal Comfort

Money

Weather

Heat

Housing

Security

Health

Food

Energy

HygieneQualityMaintenance

Safety

Transport

Tra c

Pedestrian

Public

Goods

Personal

RecyclingRepair

Garbage

CultureMoney

Gifts

Business

Copying

Image

Politics

Language

Chastity

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CHINA

ArchitectureEco-Cities

Energy

Design

EXPO

WorkHierarchy

Cheap Labor

Time

E ciency

Public Space Behavior

Nature

Heat

Energy

Personal Comfort

Money

Weather

Heat

Housing

Security

Health

Food

Energy

HygieneQualityMaintenance

Safety

Transport

Tra c

Pedestrian

Public

Goods

Personal

RecyclingRepair

Garbage

CultureMoney

Gifts

Business

Copying

Image

Politics

Language

Chastity

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CHINA

EXPO

Eco-Cities

Design

Energy

Architecture

Cheap Labour

Hierarchy

Time

E ciency

Work

Public Space

Heat

Nature

Behavior

Energy

Health

Security

Weather

Money

Hygiene

Housing

Food

Energy

Heat

Personal Comfort

Tra c

Public

Pedestrian

Goods

PersonalTransport TODAY WE SAW A BIKE WITH

OF TRANSPORTATION AND THEY OVERLOAD THEIR BIKES WITH AL-MOST EVERYTHING.

METRO PEOPLE DON’T WAIT FOR

ENTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

SOME PEOPLE REALLY MANAGE TO TRANSPORT ANYTHING, NO

MATTER HOW BIG, ON THEIR BIKE.

FOR TRANSPORTATION WITHIN THE EXPO.

ESCALATOR, IN THE METRO AND WHEN IT RAINS

MARK EVANS

ROELAND VAN ELSAS

Living in cities of plenty cre-ates a certain chaos in the

way transport is perceived as nor-mal. Thousands of electric motor-

bikes; taxi drivers seem not to take the pedestrians into account and cyclist try

to avoid an accident by keeping a constant pace, making their trajectory predictable

Personal

Having a motorbike (electric) provides this means. They are fast, clean and use little en-ergy.

GoodsHaving a private transporting system like the motorbike, allows transporting any personal belongings. Stacking up a whole pile of boxes on a bike, tying bottles of waters to it and strapping gas tanks on the motorbike is a common way of getting things from one place to the other.

Public Transport & PedestriansAs far as Shanghai is concerned, public transport is excellent. Subways and busses are plenty, cheap and thus widely used. The drawback of the system is that it cannot cope with the growing numbers of passengers. During rush-hour the subway stations are clogged

one massive creature is the fastest way to get around. They do not bother bumping into

Still, it is quite easy to get around as a pedestrian. Bridges connect one side of the highway with the other, allowing easy crossing. Escalators are omnipresent, giving a moment of rest in the hectic street life. It is not about being lazy; it is about minimizing effort and thus maximizing comfort.

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CHINA

TransportPersonal

Goods

Pedestrian

PublicRecycling

Repair

Garbage

QualitySafety

Maintenance

Culture

Gifts

Language

Copying

Business

Politics

Chastity

Money

Tra c

Energy

Behavior

Nature

Heat

Public Space

TREES ARE LIGHTED GREEN FROM BELOW AND ELEVATED STREETS

IN THE EXPO THERE WERE WATER REFRESHENING SYSTEMS IN EVERY OPEN AREA AND MOSTLY AT THE

PLACES WERE PEOPLE HAD TO

IN A LOCAL PARK THERE WAS

ELDERLY DOING ALL KINDS OF SPORTS, AND THEY WERE REALLY FIT, LIKE THEY WERE 25!

WATER VAPORIZERS PROVIDE A

EXPO.

TO TRANSPORT CARD-BOARD FIRST THEY SPRAY THE CARDBOARD WITH

DECREASES.

AT THE EXPO IT IS NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE A

STEAD THERE ARE DEVICES

MIHELA HLADIN

Public Space in Shanghai used to function as a meeting place for young an old. Since the city wants to be a world leading metropolis it pursues a modern and Western

future. The old traditional restful public spaces are turning into open/big motionless spaces limited with great skyscrapers. Methods for energy saving and heat regulation can be seen throughout the city, as well as the integration with nature and behavioral regulations.

EnergyThe newly designed public space have some interesting energy solutions. The lights of the famous Pudong skyline are for instance turned off after 23:30 and there are many street lights and road signs using solar cells. Electricity transportation is accomplished with all the cables and even the transformers elevated above the sidewalk.

Heat In many public spaces sprinkler systems can be found to cool down waiting visitors. In shops airconditioning is turned on to such an extend that there blows a cold wind outside of the shop. Although this must be extremely expensive everything is done to provide a nice temperature for the clients of the shops.

NatureShanghai is a very green city, with a lot of small parks situated all around the city. Those parks are not only used for shading but also as resting places for workers, exercise for elderly and playing for the children.

BehaviorProposed codes of conduct can be found on many locations within the public space. Digital screens and signs can be found everywhere with videos of appropriate behavior in the subway and at the EXPO (how to show directions to people, where and how to throw away your garbage, etc.).

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CHINACulture

Gifts

Language

Copying

Business

Politics

Chastity

Money

Image

EXPO

Eco-Cities

Design

Energy

Architecture

Cheap Labour

Hierarchy

Time

E ciency

Work

Public Space

Heat

Nature

Behavior

Energy

Health

Security

Weather

Money

Hygiene

Housing

Food

Energy

Heat

Personal Comfort

Tthe way of doing business, politics, habits and copying behavior. Therefore understanding

Chinese, is essential for doing business in China.

Business, Politics, Money and Gifts

governmental control the focus of companies is heavily determined and can be quickly changed by government decree. It is all done with a strict top-down approach. Money is the driving force in all this process. Chinese are capitalists and see business opportunities in everything.

Respect and status is very important in Chinese business. You only get to speak to the per-son that matches your own status and it takes multiple meetings to get acquainted and a contract signed. Business cards are essential to get the appreciation of the business partner or interlocutor. Again Western companies have a high status, but they are often obliged to work together with a Chinese partner on the Chinese market. Gifts are appreciated and should be given and received with two hands a sign of the dedication to achieve successful business with the potential partner. The same is true for money and business cards.

Image and ChastityChinese value their image and it is important not to lose face. Therefore friends will rather ignore than correct your mistake in public. The importance of keeping face can be seen in many situations, like asking directions where any answer is better than no answer for example. Not knowing the answer to question will be resolved by either not answering or

sense at all.

Western culture is still considered superior and anything English is cool. Therefore you see many examples of bad English spelling and it can be easy to get things done as a Western person. One has to consider their appearance in public to be decent. However strolling around in your silk pajamas is a symbol of wealth: “Look at me, I don’t need to work, I’m

Though, the women still dress up, wearing short skirts, high heels and tight shirts.

CopyingDue to the political system, the long history and strong tradition the Chinese have much trouble with creative thinking. Copying is still heavily integrated in the Chinese culture, as

patterns and traditions. The educational system seems to encourage copying culture and suppress creative thinking. However, the government is changing its policies. It will try to change its heading from being the world’s production facility to being the world’s frontrun-ner in high-tech, wind and solar power and electric transport industries. With the govern-

therein, lies in the fact that the fear of losing face, makes them less individually active, less creative and more conservative in that sense.

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CHINACulture

Gifts

Language

Copying

Business

Politics

Chastity

Money

Image

EXPO

Eco-Cities

Design

Energy

Architecture

Cheap Labour

Hierarchy

Time

E ciency

Work

Public Space

Heat

Nature

Behavior

Energy

Health

Security

Weather

Money

Hygiene

Housing

Food

Energy

Heat

Personal Comfort

MANY PEOPLE ALWAYS CARRY A

TAXI DRIVERS. GREEN TEA FOR MORE ENERGY, THEY SAY.

IN THE OLD TOWN MANY LO-CALS WERE PLAYING A BOARD GAME CALLED: XIANGQI, ALSO KNOWN AS CHINESE CHESS.

ATE CONNECTIONS OTHERWISE

PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM THE SMOG.

THE CHINESE DIFFER IN PERCEP-TION FROM A WESTERN VIEW OF WHAT IS ENTERTAINING/ART ETC., E.G. THE SIGHTSEEING

SLOW CAR-ON-RAIL RIDE WITH SOME FANCY LIGHTS IN THE

FAKE.

THING ON THE CARD AND SEEM TO BE VERY INTERESTED.

TO COOL DOWN, CHINESE MEN

THEIR NIPPLES WHEN THEY’RE .

THEY TAKE NAPS TO REST IN THE METRO.

WE SEEM TO BE VERY INTEREST-ING TO THEM, THEY OFTEN

GRAPHS.

TO PRESENT ASAMPLE OF A MEAL THEY CREATE A NORMAL EAT-

ABLE DISH AND THEN PLASTIFY IT AND PLACE IT IN THE WINDOW

AS A SAMPLE.

CHINESE LIKE FLASHY FACADES FILLED WITH LIGHTS AND DECO-RATIONS.

WHEN GIVING OR RECEIVING A

DO IT WITH BOTH HANDS.

JANICE WANG

ALBERT WONG

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CHINA

EXPO

Eco-Cities

Design

Energy

Architecture

Cheap Labour

Hierarchy

Time

E ciency

Work

Public Space

Heat

Nature

Behavior

Energy

Health

Security

Weather

Money

Hygiene

Housing

Food

Energy

Heat

Personal Comfort

RecyclingRepair

Garbage

POOR PEOPLE SEARCH IN THE GARBAGE FOR RECYCLABLE

PLASTIC BOTTLES AND EARN

OF IT.

GARBAGE BINS WITH SEPARATE CONTAINERS FOR RECYCLABLE AND NON RECYCLABLE GOODS AND EVEN FOR BATTERIES.

COLLECTION OF RECYCLABLE MATERIALS HAPPENS IN THE POORER NEIGHBORHOODS

WHERE THERE ARE BIG HEAPS OF PAPER, PLASTIC BOTTLES ETC. IS IT PRIVATE OR GOVERNMENTAL

RECYCLING?

AND BROKEN VENTILATORS TO FIGHT OFF FLIES.

MEANS OF TRANSPORTA-TION AND THEY OVERLOAD

THEIR BIKES WITH ALMOST EVERYTHING.

TO TRANSPORT CARD-BOARD FIRST THEY SPRAY THE CARDBOARD WITH WA-

DECREASES.

Being with many makes resources scarce and the necessity of recycling inevitable. Wast-ing is not in their blood. The waste of someone is the job of another. The huge contrast

between rich and poor provides the basis for recycling of garbage and goods. The rich man will throw away his garbage regardless of the consequences for the environment. Though he might know that his lack of conscience provides an opportunity for the poor man that lives of recycling the wealth of another.

GarbageThe poorer wander along the streets collecting PET bottles, paper, aluminum and other valuable garbage. Huge bundles of garbage are towed around the city on their bikes and are collected at central places were traders buy the collected goods. Many make a living on what some may regard as invaluable. On the other hand, the government also seems to make an effort to keep the city clean. Garbage cans on the street are plenty (especially in the EXPO region) and all of them have a separate basket for recyclable, non-recyclable garbage, ciga-rettes and batteries.

Another smart solution to decrease the amount of plastic bottles is the following. Since

across the city. This decreases the cost of the water and the price nature pays for keeping the citizens alive.

Repair

tape, cars are strapped together with tie-wraps and broken electricity cables are simply put together with a bit of tape. Moreover, electrical devices are reused. For example an old fan

that most electrical devices have such a low quality that they only last a year or two, leaving no time for reuse, only recycling.

DIN CHENG

“PEOPLE HERE ARE LIKE MACHINES, THE ONLY WORD

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CHINA WorkHierarchy

Cheap Labor

Time

E ciencyQualityMaintenance

Safety

Transport

Tra c

Pedestrian

Public

Goods

Personal

RecyclingRepair

Garbage

CultureMoney

Gifts

Business

Copying

Image

Politics

Language

ChastityACCORDING TO COLLECTIVE

BEHAVIOR, E.G. FORMING LINES WITH 20 SPOTS MARKED FOR

PEOPLE TO STAND IN LINE,

IN THE POOR NEIGHBORHOODS,

TO COOK ON.THEY LOOKED LIKE BIG WHEELBARROWS AND WORKED ON COALS.

LABOR IS SO CHEAP THAT PEOPLE CAN BE PAID TO DO

ALMOST ANY KIND OF JOB. EVEN CLEANING THE STAIRS OF SHOP-

A LOT OF PEOPLE OPERATE

THE STREET.

RECYCLING IS NOT DONE

INSTEAD BY PRIVATE EN-

COMPANIES.

IN A SMALL MARKETPLACE IN THE WORKING DISTRICT

DOVES.

Many hands make light work; is certainly an applicable saying that describes the

Chinese working mentality. Work force is abundant.

Cheap laborWith the number of people looking for work and money being the major driving force, labor still is extremely cheap. People get paid to do any silly job; cleaning the stairs with a tooth-brush, opening the door, carrying garbage from one place to another. Shops and restaurants are overloaded with personnel; they will do anything to earn their living.

Hierarchy In the working environment the company hierarchy is never disputed. Everybody will obey their superior. Doubting the superior’s decisions openly is a disgrace, a loss of face and thus never done. Following orders is what they do best. Own initiative is not appreciated.

Time

boss asks you to do so, the employee follows. Moreover, working at night, working for 14 hours straight and working in harsh and dangerous circumstances is accepted.

ing and what is custom to them. On one hand they work day and night, though on the other hand they seem to work at a more relaxed pace. Chatting constantly during work lowers the productivity though might make the long working days more bearable.

improvisation and independent thinking is not encouraged.

DIN CHENG

“PEOPLE HERE ARE LIKE MACHINES, THE ONLY WORD ROGER DA

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CHINA

EXPO

Eco-Cities

Design

Energy

Architecture

Cheap Labour

Hierarchy

Time

E ciency

Work

Public Space

Heat

Nature

Behavior

Energy

Health

Security

Weather

Money

Hygiene

Housing

Food

Energy

Heat

Personal Comfort

QualitySafety

Maintenance

ELECTRICITY CABLES ABOVE THE

THERE ARE A LOT OF SMALL BIKE REPAIR SHOPS ALONG THE

GETHER WITH A LOCAL

THEY REPAIR EVERYTHING

SCOOTERS.

THE KITCHENS IN THE OLD TOWN HAVE FANS WHICH ARE

OLD FAT.

WORKERS WORK WITH-

AND SOMETIMES WITH BARE HANDS AND FEET.

ONLY THIRTY YEARS AGO, THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF

TO BE READY FOR RENOVA-

Chinese have a rather different understanding of quality as the one we are used to. In general you will be told that it is either very good quality or that you should accept the

bad quality because it is very cheap. In general the Chinese will be glad if they achieve 80% of the original product and they will try to convince that the obvious fake iPhone is real. This also plays a major role in daily life, which can for instance be seen in the way buildings are built, safety regulations are obeyed and maintenance is done.

SafetyFrom all interviews and all the site visits it was clear that although strict regulations do exist for quality and safety standards, in general Chinese will try to save on everything, even safety as long at is not threatening to China as a country. Things as nuclear powerplants are treated with very low standards. Still Chinese are very liberal in applying safety standards. Street workers are in general working without any protection and sometimes even without shoes.

Safety regulations in architecture are also more often neglected than obeyed. To give an example we visited nightclub The Shelter, a transformed bomb shelter, which only had one entrance and no emergency exits.

Maintenance

completely renovated or demolished to make room for something bigger. Maintenance dur-ing this lifetime is rarely done and buildings that are only a few years old therefore look as if they are much older.

For a Chinese it is also not understandable that Europeans live in houses that are several decades old. For them ten years is already pretty old and it should be time to move on.

Chinese also repair their belongings in such a way that the functionality is maintained, but

one has to ask himself what is left underneath all that tape.

“NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE IN CHINA. HOW STRONG

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CHINA

TransportPersonal

Goods

Pedestrian

PublicRecycling

Repair

Garbage

QualitySafety

Maintenance

Culture

Gifts

Language

Copying

Business

Politics

Chastity

Money

Tra c

Image

EXPO

Eco-Cities

Design

Energy

Architecture

WATER VAPORIZERS PROVIDE A

EXPO.

ALL THE EXTERIOR FACADE

23:30.

TEEN YEARS, AFTER WHICH THEY ARE COMPLETELY STRIPPED AND REDECORATED.

CAN FIND TO FIX THEIR

SEVERAL TIMES BY LAYING

SHEETS ON TOP OF EACH OTHER.

A LOT OF PEOPLE, YET IT

Since the industrial revolution of China, the way of building changed drastically, from well-bal-

anced housing to the modern, fast built, low quality apartments. Due to a very long and rich culture, the traditional Chinese house was a house full of wisdom

tions are poor. The material quality is poor, the style is bad

in Shanghai is high.

EXPOThe EXPO tries to show the dream of the future house, the dream of being sustainable. It puts the emphasis on the new way of living, teaching its visitors the necessary lessons about sustainability and energy savings. All of this is very far away from the actual situation.

Eco-citiesThe dreams displayed at the EXPO should be put into practice in the eco-cities projects popping up all over China. To show their commitment to sustainable development every lo-cal government wants to show off with an own project. However, many projects are called

DesignThe creative process necessary to come-up with an interesting design is not one of China’s strongest points. Also copying is very common in architecture in China. European styles are mixed, misused and confused. They have little feeling for style and originality, though, they are smart. They attract Western designers, architects and engineers to provide the solutions that

EnergyIn contrast to the modern apartments, traditional houses have smart ways to minimize the energy consumption. Courtyards create micro climates, cooling the house in the summer and keeping it warm in the winter. Roof top windows provide natural ventilation and light-ing, free of charge. Today low cost comes before low energy. Single glass windows and bad insulation add up to high energy consumption. The reduction of quality is only done to save

ALBERT WONG

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CHINA

TransportPersonal

Goods

Pedestrian

PublicRecycling

Repair

Garbage

QualitySafety

Maintenance

Culture

Gifts

Language

Copying

Business

Politics

Chastity

Money

Tra cPersonal Comfort

Heat

Energy

Food

Housing

Hygiene

Money

Weather

Security

Health

Image

THE MOTOR DRIVERS CARRY PONCHOS WITH THEM THAT

COVER THEIR WHOLE BIKE FOR WHEN IT IS RAINING.

OLD CENTER, WHERE A FAMILY

20M2.

THEY CLOSE THEIR EYES TO GET SOME REST WHENEVER POSSIBLE

AT THE SIDE OF A SMALL

OF A HARD WORKING MAN, REMINDS THE INHABITANTS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE

AT THE EXPO ALL CHINESE CARRY FOLDABLE CHAIRS WITH THEM SO THEY CAN REST WHILE WAITING IN THE LINE.

A LOT OF CARS PARKED HAVE PEOPLE SLEEPING IN THEM. WHY

OR FOR WHO THEY ARE WAIT-ING IS A MYSTERY.

FRESH AIR.

BEEN THERE BEFORE.

THEY TAKE NAPS TO REST IN THE METRO.

IN THE OLD TOWN THERE ARE

AND PEOPLE CLEAN THEMSELVES, THEIR CLOTHES AND THEIR

DISHES THERE.

SHARE THE SAME KITCHEN.

FASTENED BETWEEN TREES OR LANTERNS NEXT TO THE STREET.

SEEMED LIKE STORAGE SPACE, WHEREAS ALL DAILY ACTIVITIES HAPPENED ON THE STREETS.

LYNNETTE CHAN

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CHINA

TransportPersonal

Goods

Pedestrian

PublicRecycling

Repair

Garbage

QualitySafety

Maintenance

Culture

Gifts

Language

Copying

Business

Politics

Chastity

Money

Tra cPersonal Comfort

Heat

Energy

Food

Housing

Hygiene

Money

Weather

Security

Health

Image

Heat, Energy & WeatherChinese are very aware of their personal energy management. This can be seen at all in-stances during the day. When they get the chance, they take a short nap, in the subway, in the restaurant and at work, every scarce minute is used to rest. They manage their body temperature in such a way that their personal energy usage is minimized. By drinking warm liquids, by shading themselves from the sun or by adapting their clothing style to the tem-peratures (pulling up their t-shirt), they save what is not necessary to use.

Food, Hygiene & HealthAlthough the streets seem dirty, the air stinks and houses are messy, hygiene is a very im-portant asset in the comfort that Chinese experience. They like to be proper; clean clothes, spotless hands and fresh sheets are preferred. Although the kitchens are sometimes very dirty, the restaurant guests will do anything to prevent their hands from becoming foul. Even a sandwich will be eaten with a fork. They wear masks to not inhale the dirty and polluted air. Hygiene comes hand in hand with health. Personal health is the major driver for being sus-

in body) and relaxation (healthy in mind). Sustainability means health and welfare for the

the park, while the youngsters learn to master kung fu. In general, sustainability is not related to the environment, but to personal well-being: health.

HousingDespite the fact that China stretches a vast area of the globe, the capitalistic culture and industrialization pulls China’s inhabitants to its cities, making them overpopulated and forc-ing families to stay in tiny homes. This however is not a problem. They do not have a lot of possessions. A television, simple bed and a couch is enough. Cloths are hung outside to let them dry, the dishes are done on the sidewalk and kitchens are shared; increasing the space to actually live in.

Money & SecurityAlthough China is considered a communistic country, its population is very capitalistic. Their wealth is expressed in money, small expensive belongings, status and power. Money gives opportunity; money provides security in the constantly changing, sometimes hostile, govern-mental policies. They secure their own and family’s future with money instead of possessions. Apart from this feeling of security, the government creates security and safety for the people by means of strict rules, heavy punishment, no mercy, camera surveillance and protected liv-ing quarters. Moreover the main subject in the news is the hunt on petty crime and criminals that disrupt the order and indisputable power of the government. The only thing the average Chinese should fear is his own government.

Personal comfort is extremely important to the Chinese people. It is all about minimizing the effort to achieve their daily goals. Here, personal comfort addresses the way they

spend their day, the way they use their personal energy and the way that they use their resources, rather than it describes the luxurious live we Westerns pursue in the quest for personal comfort. Personal comfort in the form of materialized pleasures is not much seen. Their personal comfort is hidden in the small things: the delicate food, the small houses, the money they earn, the feeling of security against the awareness of the constant change and the way they manage their personal energy.

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OPPORTUNITIESOPPORTUNITIES

the obvious and unexpected. The different observations and background of the researchers can lead to new in-sights and future possibilities. Conclusions are not the end, merely a moment to stop, digest and recapitulate. They are no truth, rather an opinion. The conclusion of one should persuade the other to think different, agree and oppose.

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HOUSE OF THE FUTURECOMPANIES CONNECTED ARE INTERESTING PARTNERS FOR

DESIGNING & BUILDING THE HOUSE OF THE FUTURE

CHINA EXPERTSCOMPANIES CONNECTED CAN PROVIDE VALUABLE AND MUCH NEEDED INFORMATION IN CASE OF CHINESE MARKET ENTRY

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIESCOMPANIES CONNECTED ARE INTERESTING PARTNERS FOR

SHORTTERM BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN EUROPE AND/OR CHINA

Dwas a vast project. Therefore these opportunities were divided into three categories.

The House of the Future

Technology, was well received and several companies expressed strong interest in partici-pating in the project. Many of the people that were interviewed believe that China would be the perfect place for a pilot project. Although initially this project was used to gain ac-

several companies are possible partners. When selecting potential partners care should be taken, since all companies more or less claim to possess the leading technologies in certain

China ExpertsSince the Chinese energy market is pretty much government controlled no business op-

tries which could be interesting and in case one would like to enter the Chinese market the companies connected can provide valuable information and a vast network. Especially Susan Evans was very willing to cooperate in any business Pilgrims or E.On would like to conduct in China.

Business OpportunitiesAlthough the energy sector is almost impenetrable for foreign companies, China remains a very interesting market if one is in the possession of high-tech products. China is the

is very willing to cooperate in anything even remotely technological. Though his motivation to do so is money driven and does not come from an idealistic background.

The other companies that are of particular interest regarding sustainability and energy saving are: i-Sockets for its advanced electricity sockets which could be easily distributed to customers in Europe; Cisco for its knowledge of smart grids and innovative household energy management systems; Broad for its knowledge and understanding of quality insula-

For a more elaborate description of the above mentioned companies, the worked-out interviews in can be found in the Appendix.

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CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS

Seeing opportunities is the beginning of progress, but these are not always clear. Seizing opportunities is the next step, where correct judgment and timing is of es-sence. With the aid of the knowledge gained from the

Though words are limited, there are many possibilities apart from the ones written below.

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CapitalismMoney is the driving force in China. Chinese try to make business out of any-thing. As there are no real possessions, money is the safest way to provide for the future. There is a huge gap between rich and poor and taking care of them-

Short-termWhether or not communism is to blame, is irrelevant. The consequences of the drastic change since the revolution become evident in the approach to life, the way they plan and the way they think about their future. They think only about the near future, short term. Quality is neglected. If it is cheap today, why waste money on durable products that might get lost? The future is uncertain, since the gov-ernment can change its policies in whatever way suits them. In business this fact reveals itself in the way potential partners are approached. Getting to know them, building up a “business friendshipate the necessary trust between both partners. Only this friendship can guarantee successful business; there is no solid jurisdictional backup. Apart from the government, money time and last comes qualitydramatic consequence on what we conceive as sustainability. Every project is

mal quality, leaving the environment and the sustainable awareness in oblivion.

IndividualismWhen looking closer at large groups of people passing on the streets, at the EXPO or in the subway, individuals can be discerned. Chinese are concerned about their individual health and wealth. Security for the individual is achieved through earning money. Sustainability is regarded from a perspective of personal well-being and not to care for the environment.

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CollectivismChinese think in groups, work in groups and live in groups. The collective can be seen all around, from the massive crowds in the subway to the behaviorThinking within usual boundaries and the value of tradition shows the structural behavior of the Chinese.

CommunismThe Chinese political system is communistic, which can be seen in daily life and the attitude of the Chinese. The presence of the government is evident on various levels as government policy decides what happens next. Chinese citizens are very good in carrying out orders and creativity is limited by internet censorship and by discouraging individual initiative.

Long-termThe only party that seems to care about the long-term future of China is The Party itself. Their existence depends on the good-will of the people. China has been and still is the producer of the world; however the government will now show its commitment to become the world leader in the high-tech and R&D industries. To achieve this goal, emphasis will also be on the creative industries. Creativity and out-of-the-box thinking is an important asset that is still missing in the Chinese culture. It is necessary for China to grow beyond its competitors Europe,

ment in their upcoming .

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delft

Due to personal information

the appendice have been

removed from this copy.

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Created by:

Roeland van Elsas Dafni Evangelou

Tobias Gutleb Sebastiaan Lemmens