Beneath the ice is a green foundation

Liu Danyang, a designer from Harbin Institute of Technology's Architecture Design Research Institute, said the steel structure of the grandstand in the center would adopt prefabricated construction techniques, reducing on-site pollution from welding materials, shortening construction periods, protecting the environment and more effectively utilizing resources.

What's more, all the venues are based on existing infrastructure that has been renovated, rather than adopting large-scale construction, Wang Hesheng, vice-president and secretary-general of the 9th Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025 Organizing Committee and mayor of Harbin, said.

"In terms of venue construction, there will be no large-scale demolition. Instead, existing venues and facilities have been renovated and upgraded in aspects such as cold air and heat supply, dehumidification, lighting and internet access to meet the needs of the events," Wang said.

He added that, regarding the snow events, which will be held in Yabuli, about 200 kilometers from Harbin, the organizer has made necessary upgrades to existing ski courses, and only revamped and expanded two specialist venues — those for the big air and slopestyle events.

Existing equipment and facilities at the venues can be fully utilized, and the current ice resurfacers, snowmobiles, protective nets, medical rescue facilities and other equipment in Yabuli will all be put into use, Wang said.

Contact the writer at cuijia@chinadaily.com.cn