Planning Sungang-Quingshuihe neighbourhood for a new innovative growth centre of Shenzhen

Abstract

Shenzhen is one of the most dynamically growing cities in the world with a population of more than 10 million. Situated in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) in China it is in the powerhouse of the global economy. Some decades ago Shenzhen was a small fishing village only, however, after its designation as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) the city has gone through rapid urbanization and industrial development. Therefore, currently, Shenzhen is one of the leading economic hubs of China, an important gateway of the large Chinese economy, and a sub-provincial administrative centre in the PRD. Sungang-Quingshuihe (SQ) is a neighbourhood of 2.5 square kilometres, in Louhu district in the east of Shenzhen. The landscape system of SQ has been largely destroyed and fragmented by developments. Our main goal is to redesign SQ neighbourhood for an innovative growth centre of Shenzhen. We envisage SQ as a liveable area with new and modern functions for international residents who work in higher education, information communication industry, medical services, R&D facilities of multinational corporations, and research-oriented start-up companies. In order to accomplish this vision it is required to design new transportation system, public buildings, housing, green corridors and parklands.