The Chicago and China offices of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill announced that it was named the winner of an international design competition to expand the Beijing Central Business District.

The SOM plan calls includes three new districts tied together by parks and green boulevards. It also has an emphasis on green, public transportation and incorporates a network of small, walkable blocks for pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly development.

Implementation of the plan could reduce energy consumption within the district by 50%, reduce water consumption by 48%, reduce landfill waste by 80%, and result in a 50% reduction in carbon emissions. Reduction in emissions from office buildings alone would equate to a reduction of 215,000 tons of CO2 per year, which is the equivalent of planting 14 million adult trees.