The Eden Project to create £100m environmental centre in China
China Eden will be four times the size of the UK attraction, which has brought 16 million visitors to Cornwall since 2001
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Eden Project, which has brought millions of visitors to its biodomes, which replicate the world’s different climates, in Cornwall, has agreed to create a £100m environmental centre in China.
The contract for the Cornwall-based charity to begin work on creating a new environmental and educational hub was signed in Beijing this week.
China Eden will be four times the size of the UK attraction, which has brought 16 million visitors to Cornwall since it opened in a former clay pit in 2001, generating £1.6bn for the local economy.
The Eden Project’s founder, Sir Tim Smit, said: “It feels like we have been given the opportunity to do something very special and important.
“This project fits perfectly with Eden’s key transformation and regeneration themes and brings life to a currently sterile and derelict site. It has the potential to become instantly recognisable worldwide. We have been approached many times before to create Eden projects, but have always declined as we did not wish to copy Eden in Cornwall.”
The temperature-controlled geodesic domes in Cornwall enclose much of the 2.2-hectare site and are home to a vast collection of rare and exotic plants, including the largest rainforest “in captivity”.
£1.6bn
The amount The Eden Project has generated for the local economy
China Eden will be based in Qingdao, midway between Beijing and Shanghai in the east of the country. It will sit on the convergence of two rivers near the city on a piece of reclaimed land previously left vacant after being ravaged by salt production and prawn farming. The project’s design is unlikely to replicate the iconic bubble-shaped domes of Cornwall’s ecological park.
Grimshaw Architects, which is behind the new design, said in a statement: “The deal’s only just been signed – so design and scope are still being determined.” The London-based firm will be collaborating with the Chinese developer Jinmao for China Eden.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments