Smog Free Tower, the largest air cleaner in the world, begins purifying air at the 2017 Dalian Summer Davos. (Photo/China.org.cn)
Air pollution is an issue faced not only by China but also by nations across the world. Many families buy air cleaners to improve indoor air quality; but what about the air quality in public spaces? [Special coverage]
Daan Roosegaarde, a Dutch artist and innovator, provided an answer with his introduction of Smog Free Tower to the 2017 Dalian Summer Davos in the northeastern Chinese city of Dalian.
"Pollution is everywhere, not just in Beijing, but also in Paris and London. So, we want to use creative thinking and new technology to improve lives," the artist explained.
The show of Roosegaarde's Smog Free Tower at the Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian is a part of its Chinese tour, which opened last fall in Beijing and drew thousands of visitors to admire the "new temple of clean air."
The Smog Free Tower is seven meters high and is designed for public spaces. It uses ozone-free technology that can efficiently capture smog particles in the air. It has a capacity of cleaning 30,000 cubic meters of air per hour.
"We will focus on public spaces to encourage children to play outside again. It is a series of urban innovations to reduce pollution on a city-wide scale, a package deal for mayors for achieving immediate impact and a lasting effect in creating smog-free cities. We continue to share the dream about clean air," Roosegaarde said.
In Dalian, he announced here the next stage of development for the project in China. The Smog Free Tower, providing parks with cleaner air than the rest of the city, will be produced by its Chinese partner Film Method Works this year. The company is a pioneer in supporting new environmental technology.
Nico Daswani, head of Arts and Culture for the Programme Development Team at the World Economic Forum underway in Dalian, said: "Daan Roosegaarde performs a type of magic by turning smog into beauty. Artists like Daan open up for us all entirely new ways of re-imagining our connection with our environment. We are delighted to welcome the Smog Free Tower to our Annual Meeting of the New Champions."
According to Roosegaarde, he and his team will continue the Smog-Free Journey and the next version of the tower will be driven by solar power. "It's all about fulfilling the dream of clean air," said the Dutch artist.
