Critical Success Factors For Eco-city Development In China

The eco-city is a solution to address environmental pollution, energy shortage, and economic development issues and a model for future city development. China is actively promoting the development of eco-cities. However, without understanding the key activities of the eco-city, its success and subsequent environmental, social, and economic benefits cannot be guaranteed. Hence, exploring the critical success factors for the development of eco-city projects is significant for the development of China's eco-city.Previous studies focused on a single of a category of factors, such as urban planning, green technology, and operations management, lacking of comprehensive understanding. There are some other scholars focusing on building Key Performance Indicators(KPIs). Although KPIs include many areas of eco-cities, they are complex projects with multi-stakeholder participation. And there are many unmeasurable targets and problems in the management process.The objective of this dissertation is to identify the critical success factors(CSFs) of eco-city projects in China and analyze the interrelationship among these CSFs, providing a theoretical basis for future eco-city project to develop the regulatory framework. The findings of this study will not only assist stakeholders of the eco-city to gain a better understanding of a successful development, but will also serve as a useful reference for managers when adopting appropriate strategies in future eco-city projects.To achieve this goal, nineteen CSFs were identified through a comprehensive literature review, interviews, and seminars from three aspects: project-related factors, participant-related factors, and environment-related factors. A questionnaire-based survey is then conducted to obtain opinions from relevant professionals. The results of descriptive statistics show that “clear definition and targets”, “conflicting interests among stakeholders”, “residents' behavior and awareness of environment protection and energy conservation”, and “management in operation stage of eco-city” are the most important four factors for eco-city. Exploratory factor analysis results illustrate that the nineteen factors can be divided into five groups: governance, competence and behavior of stakeholders, knowledge and market support, plan of the city, and external environment. This dissertation provides a framework for managers in the future work.