Discover a green, smart Asian Games in Hangzhou

The Hangzhou Asian Games is just days away and preparations for the event have been completed. The Games will incorporate "green" and "smart" elements, ensuring a simple, safe, and exciting sports event.

The Games adheres to low-carbon, green, and eco-friendly practices through the use of clean energy and energy-saving technologies, among others.

One of the venues of the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center cluster incorporates a natatorium and a gymnasium that is equipped with 210 light tubes, which diffuse natural light from outdoors to indoors through top skylight covers. They have a lifespan of up to 25 years and can save approximately 100,000 kWh of electricity annually.

Photo shows the Fuyang Water Sports Center, a venue for the Hangzhou Asian Games. (Photo courtesy of the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee)

The roof of the Fuyang Water Sports Center, a venue for the Hangzhou Asian Games, has an area of 24,000 square meters that is decked with green plants. These plants contribute to a greening rate of 45 percent, resulting in less electricity being consumed for indoor temperature control.

Furthermore, rainwater that passes through the roof garden's pebbles and geotextile fabric is collected in the rainwater pump room and can be recycled for use in fountains and irrigation. It is estimated that the venue can save around 35 percent or approximately 1,000 tonnes of water a month.

The Hangzhou Asian Games adopts a "zero waste" concept. It is estimated that at least 50 percent of materials used during the Games will be recycled, and 100 percent of solid waste will be safely and harmlessly disposed of.

The Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium, also known as the "Big Lotus," is the main stadium for the Hangzhou Asian Games. After undergoing its transformation, the stadium now features smart recognition systems at each entrance, enabling separate and non-crossing flows of people during events. This ensures the utmost fairness, safety, and orderliness at the Games.

Additionally, the surrounding 165 smart ticket gates have been upgraded, making them able to provide different ticket verification solutions during the Games.

Photo shows a smart visualization platform inside the natatorium at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center. (Photo courtesy of the contractor for the venue)

In the natatorium at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center, a smart visualization platform serves as the "brain" of the venue’s operations.

The platform enables unified management and operation as it incorporates a number of systems including architecture, electromechanics, and intelligent technology through the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and other technologies.

By working with front-end detectors, the platform is able to provide real-time feedback and queries on the venue's status. This gives venue managers better understanding of the venue’s operations, thereby improving them and enhancing efficiency in management, operations, and communication.

The Hangzhou Asian Games has introduced a mini-program that caters to spectators' viewing needs, as well as other aspects such as dining, accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment.