Beichuan, China was devastated after a 2008 earthquake left 80,000 dead and 5 million homeless. The survivors had to virtually rebuild the entire city, and took a sustainable approach that has set the bar for the rest of the nation. New eco-friendly buildings and waste systems constructed use green technology, and the citizens also enjoy bike lanes and green transportation.
China also looked to lessons learned from other city rebuilds, and gave the majority voice to the locals, incorporating cultural preservation and environmental protections. English teaching jobs are offered through out the Sichuan Province, and Beichuan is an ideal place to learn about sustainable rebuilding.