B.C. wood was in the spotlight today at the Sanlin Shanghai Affordable Housing Project, as Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson and forestry trade mission delegates toured two wood-frame buildings and signed a new memorandum of understanding.

The newly completed structures, an administration building and a cultural centre, are part of an expansive, low-cost housing project that is using B.C. wood and building technology in China's second-largest city. The project highlights the energy-efficient qualities of wood construction and illustrates how wood can be used effectively to address China's growing urban housing needs.

Wood is being used at the Sanlin Township site in roof trusses, partition walls and the construction of "hybrid" buildings, in which the first floor is made of concrete and the upper floors are made entirely of wood.

The Sanlin Shanghai Affordable Housing Project is one of the results of a November 2009 memorandum of understanding between the Shanghai Housing Bureau and the governments of British Columbia and Canada. Other accomplishments under the MOU include the completion of 100 wood truss roof renovations, and a successful model for government relations in China.

(flickr.com)

The affordable housing project in Shanghai is part of China's national housing program, and as result other local governments in China are looking to include wood-frame construction in their affordable housing programs.

The Government of B.C. and Shanghai Municipal Security Housing and Housing Administration Bureau also signed a new five-year memorandum of understanding today that will promote the use and development of wood-frame construction technology elsewhere in Shanghai.

The new memorandum's objectives include technical co-operation, research focused on local construction needs in the Shanghai area, opportunities to promote the use of B.C. wood products, technical training and enhanced international co-operation between China and Canada.

(flickr.com)

Quotes:

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson -

"This new MOU demonstrates the success of our international marketing efforts and the versatility of wood construction beyond Canada's borders."

Quick Facts:

• Shanghai is China's largest city with a population of 14 million.
• Working closely with the federal government and B.C.'s forest companies, the market for B.C. wood products in China continues to expand.
• In 2012-13, almost 7,000 building professionals across China received training in wood-frame construction.
• The market development strategy in China is focusing on promoting wood use in mid-rise and multi-family construction, in roof trusses, "in-fill" partition walls and in hybrid construction, as well as developing niche opportunities in emerging resort communities across China.

(flickr.com)

Learn More:

Photos from the 2013 Forestry Asia Trade Mission are available here: http://ow.ly/pCHMa

BC Jobs Plan: www.bcjobsplan.ca

Building our Natural Advantage: Forest Sector Strategy for British Columbia: www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/forestsectorstrategy/

Media Contact:

Brennan Clarke
Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261