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 for 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 launches the urban design plan for the International Commercial Zone. [Photo/Peng Lihua]

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 hotspot for international consumption, modern services, and international communication, the International Commercial Zone aims to become a global, green, intelligent, and culturally modern 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 a “people-oriented” development path and advocate the concept of green, ecological, 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, Gen. 4.0 international business center, 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 help the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle to build an RCEP center, linking Guoyuan Port and Airport Comprehensive Free Trade Zone in order 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 is intended to serve as an international business center with a high level of openness, intelligence, and vitality, integrating foreign investment, trade, and economics.

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

The international communication center will build an ecological chain of MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) and continue introducing international organizations, industry associations, and chambers of commerce as it seeks to become 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 will 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.