Sino-Sun hosts roundtable on China’s ‘Characteristic Towns’

Luodai Blog New Town, Chengdu
Luodai Blog New Town, Chengdu (成都-洛带博客小镇)

As China continues to encourage the development of more ‘characteristic towns (特色小镇)’ across the country, Sino-Sun Architects & Engineers organised a roundtable in Beijing recently to discuss the concept of such towns. About a dozen industry partners participated in a robust discussion. Sino-Sun is one of China’s leading voices in developing these unique towns.

Here, Michael Xu Jianwei, President of Sino-Sun explains the concept behind this development:

xu jianwei sinosun

Sino-Sun President Michael Xu Jianwei discussing China’s development of the ‘Characteristic Towns’ concept

What are Characteristic Towns?

China’s特色小镇, literally ‘small towns with special characteristics’, are towns built around an identified industry theme. For example, Dream Town focuses on internet start-ups and venture capital, Cloud Town focuses on big data and computing and Sweet Chocolate Town focuses on, you guessed it – chocolates!

The concept originated in eastern Zhejiang province, as a way for towns to restructure and reform economically. It makes sense to cluster similar businesses together to foster industry growth and to attract resources and investment.

The successes of these towns have led to plans for more.

Are these just industrial zones?

No. Other than having a central industry theme, the concept of ‘township’, with residential areas and amenities and services to support the community, is important too. The towns are also built with great consideration to environmental protection and cultural preservation.

Some of these towns have also developed into tourist attractions.

China sinosun
One of China’s ‘Characteristic Towns’ in Guangdong designed by Sino-Sun

What do you think of such developments?

One of my laments has always been that many big cities have lost their identities, with no differentiation in architecture and no attention paid to culture when designing buildings. And in their rush towards development, many historical landmarks were lost.

So I think it is great that the government, in developing these towns for economic purposes, have also paid great attention to the architectural aspects, and also in preserving the heritage of the various places.

With proper planning, economic progress can go hand in hand with cultural and environmental preservation.

 

Sino-Sun Architects & Engineers wins “Leading Cultural Tourism Real Estate Company” Award

sino-sun architects engineers
Mr Xu Jianwei, President for Sino-Sun Architects & Engineers Co. Ltd. with the Award

Sino-Sun Architects & Engineers (Sino-Sun) was one of the winners at the 14 th Annual Top China Real Estate OSCAR 2016-2017, a prestigious event that recognises top organisations in China’s real estate industry.

At the event held in Beijing on 11 th Jan 2017, Sino-Sun was awarded the “Leading Cultural Tourism Real Estate Company” Award for its work in this segment of the industry.

Over the years, Sino-Sun has designed and planned many iconic towns, hotels, villas, streets and other buildings, that successfully integrate design, technology and its social environment. Some of Sino-Sun’s projects include Luodai Blog New town, Sichuan, Chengdu; Xiangzhou Port, Zhuhai, Hengqin; Women’s Town, Enshi, Hubei; Small Town Story, Jingxi, Yunan; and Thousand Miao Village, Xijiang, Guizhou.

On the Award, Mr Xu Jianwei, Sino-Sun’s President, said, “We are honoured to receive this Award, especially against many peers in the industry. This recognition cements our belief in holistic design and planning as well as underscores the hard work of our Sino-Sun team.”

Congratulations to the Sino-Sun team!

Leading Cultural Tourism Real Estate Company award
Mr Xu Jianwei, President for Sino-Sun Architects & Engineers Co. Ltd. at the event
Luodai blog town
Luodai Blog New town, Sichuan, Chengdu
Women’s Town Hube
Women’s Town, Enshi, Hubei
Xiangzhou Port Zhuhai
Xiangzhou Port, Zhuhai, Hengqin

About Sino-Sun Architects & Engineers Co. Ltd

Sino-Sun Architects & Engineers Co. Ltd is a China based multi-disciplinary local design institute specialising in providing building architectural, mechanical & electrical and civil & structural design consultancy services. It is one of the top 20 privately-owned design institutes in China and has offices in Beijing and ten other cities in China.
Surbana Jurong acquired China based Sino-Sun Architects & Engineers Co. Ltd in June 2015.