Shenzhen

Feng Yingxin and Soraya Kishtwari, writing for Dialogue Earth, explore this example of how urban areas can successfully integrate significant ecological habitats, reversing ecological decline in vulnerable delta regions Each spring, as Shenzhen’s mangroves burst into life, the region becomes a prime spot for birdwatchers observing the endangered black-faced spoonbill. Known as the giant panda of birds, this species winters in Shenzhen Bay from October to April, in preparation for …

Home to unicorns like Tencent, Huawei and BYD Semiconductor, Shenzhen now has the highest number of startups per head of population in China The number of newly registered companies in Shenzhen jumped 10.4% in the first six months of 2021 as the city kept its pole position in China for startups. From January to June, there were 258,449 newly registered commercial entities in the city. Based on the official resident …

  Juan Du is Associate Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and a founding director of the Shenzhen Centre for Design. Her new book ‘The Shenzhen Experiment: The Story of China’s Instant City’ (Harvard University Press) emerged from her active involvement in the ongoing development and planning of the city. It’s a study of a city planned to foster innovation, business and co-operation, …

Fei-Ling Wang, Professor of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology and expert on China’s megacities explains the pros and cons of creating these new urban city groups   To sustain continued, robust economic growth – something of crucial importance to its legitimacy and stability – the Chinese government has lately employed a bold stimulus plan of “city grouping” (chengshiqun), the creation of a few megacities by integrating groups …