Shenzhen, China - INTI - International New Town Institute


| | | | | | | |

Shenzhen, China
photo: Lard Buurman

Lying adjacent to Hong Kong in the Pearl River Delta, Shenzhen used to be an area filled with small fishing villages. It became a New Town when in 1980 the central Chinese government gave it the status of Special Economic Zone and planned a city on the location. In only thirty years, the number of inhabitants has grown from 30,000 to an unofficial count of almost fifteen million, of which 82% are immigrants. This rapid expansion has led to a thriving economy, but also to many problems such as a massive floating population and deterioration of the environment; the ecological system and land- and water resources.
Therefore, though only 30 years young, Shenzhen is already rethinking its economic and urban future and therefore its identity – shifting from an industrial city with a manufacturing industry to a creative city which thrives on the service- and knowledge-industry. On top of this all, the city aims to become the first Chinese low-carbon eco-demonstration city.

Challenges:
 It still is questionable how the industrial urban structure of Shenzhen can accommodate the creative environment the city longs for.
 Lack of policies, housing and facilities for the people which are expected to keep the new creative economy going.
 The natural surroundings can barely maintain the ease and speed of urban expansion

Opportunities:
 Extremely high ambitions, which function as a catalyst for future development
 In cooperation with INTI Shenzhen has initiated research to social, economic and environmental factors need to be improved to strengthen the city’s potential.

Representative:
 Songming Xu

source: Google Earth








International New Town Day
Program conference 30 June
Program tours 28-29 June
Speakers
Practical Information
City Profiles
Sponsors
Side event | Seminar on Sustainable planning of New Towns, July 1
Videos