Chongqing - The International Commercial Zone Urban Design launch conference was held at the Belt and Road Commodity Exhibition & Trading Center in Chongqing Liangjiang New Area on April 7. During the conference, a design plan was released to the public with the aim of building China's version of "Hudson Yards."

Hudson Yards is often called "a city within a city" and is known for its impressive architecture, over 100 shops and restaurants, cultural center, and iconic destinations like Edge and The Vessel in New York City.

Chongqing launched the urban design for the International Commercial Zone. (Photo/Peng Lihua)

Principle of people-oriented and green development

The International Commercial Zone is a comprehensive bonded zone, with a total foreign trade value of 187 billion yuan in 2022, ranking No.7 among China’s 156 comprehensive bonded zones. 

Serving as the central area of Chongqing Cuntan International New City and a place for international consumption, modern service, and international communication, the International Commercial Zone aims to become a global, green, intelligent, and culturally current city demonstration zone.

The key urban design for the International Commercial Zone covers about 104.55 hectares, including A, B, and C plots. It will follow the principle of “people-oriented” and advocate the concept of green buildings, ecological buildings, and energy-saving buildings, highlighting internalization, intelligence, and humanity.

The Belt and Road Commodity Exhibition & Trading Center at the International Commercial Zone. (Photo/Dai Yuan)

Four landmarks attracting more foreigners

“The commercial zone will focus on building four landmarks, including the RCEP demonstration center, the Gen. 4.0 international business center, the international consumer trend destination, and the international communication center,” said Shi Xi, head of the industrial development department III at Chongqing Free Trade Port Area Development & Management Group Co., Ltd.

The RCEP demonstration center will coordinate the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle to build an RCEP center, linking the Guoyuan Port and Airport Comprehensive Free Trade Zone to strengthen trade and logistics with RCEP countries, serving as a window for economic and trade exchanges with RCEP countries.

The Gen. 4.0 international business center aims to build an international business center with a higher level of openness, intelligence, and vitality, integrating foreign investment, trade, and economics.

The international consumer trend destination will introduce large international brand commercial complexes, building online and offline consumption, gaming, and entertainment scenes, and exploring a metaverse shopping circle.

The international communication center will build an ecology chain of MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) and continue introducing international organizations, industry associations, and chambers of commerce, building a one-stop foreign-related service center and attracting more foreigners.

According to Lin Tao, general manager of the traffic planning department at T.Y. Lin International China, the Cuntan International New City is planned to cover seven rail lines with ten stations, while the International Commercial Zone will cover two rail lines with three stations, providing convenient transportation for the new urban landmark.

To collect creative and practical urban design schemes, the urban design solicitation for the International Commercial Zone was pre-launched on April 3. The organizer further explained and answered questions for the design companies involved in the conference.