Henning Larsen wins competition to build Chinese leisure city

New York is known for its skyscrapers, Miami, for its saved art deco buildings, and Shenzhen, China, may soon be known as one of the coolest places in the Orient to just go and chill. Of course, the city is much more than that already, and has big plans including an eye-catching new headquarters planned for genome maker iCarbonX.

But that’s just a small part of what’s in store for Shenzhen. With Danish architecture firm Henning Larsen recently winning an international competition to design a waterfront district for the Chinese city, the planned new quarter of Shenzhen will have ample public space, as well as tree-edged boulevards, gardens, and plazas.

The "leisure city" aspect of the development will comprise multiple cultural attractions, the project’s architects said. It will have a Ferris wheel, outdoor sculptures, rooftop art exhibits, and a waterside promenade.

"Our design aims to make Shenzhen the waterfront city it should always have been," says Claude Godefroy, partner and design director of Henning Larsen’s Hong Kong office. "To create an attractive waterfront, we brought commercial and cultural facilities metres away from the seashore, so citizens will finally be able to enjoy the atmosphere of Shenzhen Bay in an activated urban environment, like in Sydney, Singapore or Copenhagen."

Climate change is having a dramatic impact on urban design, in terms of planning, materials, occupant use, location, and the long-term effect of buildings on the environment. Joining BD+C's John Caulfield to discuss this topic are two experts from the Boston-based CBT Architects: Kishore Varanasi, a Principal and director of urban design; and Devanshi Purohit, an Associate Principal.

Planning for hospital campus access that works for people

This course defines the elements of hospital campus access that are essential to promoting the efficient, stress-free movement of patients, staff, family, and visitors. Campus access elements include signage and wayfinding, parking facilities, transportation demand management, shuttle buses, curb access, valet parking management, roadways, and pedestrian walkways.

Urban Planning | Apr 5, 2022

The art of master planning, with Mike Aziz of Cooper Robertson

Mike Aziz, AIA, LEED AP, Partner and Director of Urban Design with Cooper Robertson, discusses his firm's design for the redevelopment of a Connecticut town's riverfront.

Multifamily Housing | Mar 29, 2022

Here’s why the U.S. needs more ‘TOD’ housing

Transit-oriented developments help address the housing affordability issue that many cities and suburbs are facing.

Urban Planning | Feb 14, 2022

5 steps to remake suburbs into green communities where people want to live, work, and play

Stantec's John Bachmann offers proven tactic for retrofitting communities for success in the post-COVID era.

Urban Planning | Feb 11, 2022

6 ways to breathe life into mixed-use spaces

To activate mixed-use spaces and realize their fullest potential, project teams should aim to create a sense of community and pay homage to the local history.

Urban Planning | Jan 25, 2022

Retooling innovation districts for medium-sized cities

This type of development isn’t just about innovation or lab space; and it’s not just universities or research institutions that are driving this change.