Atkins has won a contract to create a concept masterplan for an area fit to host a worldclass flower exhibition in Nanchang, the capital city of Jiangxi Province in China. Appointed by Tang Dynasty West Market Co. Ltd, the project aims to embed the essence of Jiangxi culture in its design, revitalise the area and increase its overall competitiveness.
The 1.9km2 development will be made up of three core areas: the Bada Shanren MeiHu cultural zone, the Flower Expo, and a commercial zone. Specific buildings will include a five-star hotel set within a multi-themed garden environment and a floral science and technology museum. The use of solar photovoltaic and wind power, as well as ecological water conservation, will assist in achieving the environmental objectives.
The plan supports Jiangxi’s development as part of the national Silk Road economic belt and promotes the growth of cultural tourism industry across the province. Aiming to create a world-class cultural tourism destination that integrates commercial, business and residential, the development will help improve the local economy by creating jobs and stimulating consumption.
Steven Ng, Atkins’ project director, said:
“Our design objective is to create an eco-garden which integrates cultural, ecological and economic activities. It will improve the quality of the environment and stimulate the transformation of the surrounding areas. This approach is similar to the 2012 London Olympics’ strategy which used the high profile project to revitalise a rundown area of East London.”
The development is located in Qingyunpu District of Nanchang, which has a population of around 5 million. As the Changsha-Hangzhou high-speed rail will be in operation this year, the district will be a key transport hub connecting the north and south of China. The area will also connect coastal cities to central China in response to the government’s strategic plan “Rise of Central China”.
Work has already begun on the project, and will be completed in time for the flower exhibition in September 2016.