The project is designed to help establish low traffic emission zone with unique Chinese characteristics on a trial basis, encourage and promote the policy on low traffic emission zone to be preferentially implemented in other characterized Chinese cities.

苏州古城历时2500多年，城址不动、格局未变，在世界城市发展史中实属罕见，其文化历史价值无可估量。然而，随着苏州城市发展及机动化的推进，机动交通对古城的传统生活造成极大冲击，古城内交通拥堵已成常态，全年有三分之一为污染天气。虽然国内关于交通低排放的技术性研究并不少，但在政府层面执行起来困难重重，甚至无法予以推行。

The ancient city of Suzhou has a history of more than 2,500 years, with its town site and pattern unchanged. This is rarely seen in the city development history around the world, showing its immeasurable value in both culture and history. However, as Suzhou witnesses urban development and advances of motorization, motorized traffic has had a huge impact on the traditional life of the ancient city, traffic congestion in the ancient city has become an ordinary state, and a third of days in a year are pollution days. Although many technical studies on low traffic emission have been carried out in China, difficulties remain in the implementation at the government level, and implementation is even impossible.

英国在交通低排放政策方面的丰富经验处于世界领先水平。伦敦市早在2003年实施中心区交通拥堵收费，并在2008年推行 “低排放区”尾气排放管制政策，均已取得良好的效果，并计划在2020年以前设立“超低排放区”。因此，英国对于本项目的资助不仅能提升苏州古城的空气质量及城市形象，保护并激发古城文化繁荣发展，更将是交通低排放区政策在中国得以实施的强大推动力和重要保障。

The United Kingdom enjoys world-class profound experience in the policies on low traffic emission. London implemented congestion charge in downtown area as early as in 2003, and promoted the policy on exhaust gas control in “low-emission zone” in 2008. Both policies have achieved sound results. London is also planned to establish the “ultra-low emission zone” by2020. Therefore, the financial aid provided by the United Kingdom for the project could not only improve the air quality and urban image of the ancient city of Suzhou, protect and inspire the cultural prosperity and development of the ancient city, but also will serve as a strong driving force and crucial guarantee for the policy on low traffic emission zone to be implemented in China.

本项目已获得苏州市政府部门的支持，苏州市规划局将有望作为共同资助机构参与研究。

The project has enlisted the support from governmental agencies of Suzhou, and the Suzhou Planning Bureau is expected to participate in the study as the co-funding body.