Xi’an unveils plans for green and highly walkable Innovation Harbor

Giant towns popping up from seemingly nowhere have become a common sight in China. <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/xian" target="_blank">Xi’an</a>, the central Chinese city best known as the home of the Terracotta Army, has unveiled ambitious plans for one such town that will serve as a new innovation hub in the government’s Silk Road plan. Designed by Stuttgart University’s Professor Dr. Helmut Bott and architecture firm <a href="http://www.farostyle.com/" target="_blank">FARO*style</a>, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/world-bank/" target="_blank">World Bank</a>-backed project will transform an enormous expanse of low-yielding agricultural land into a dense and pedestrian-friendly mixed-use development that will accommodate 40,000 people. The 291-hectare site will be located next to the Wei River and will dedicate over a third of its area to green space, from green roofs to large finger-like parks.

Xi’an’s 15-million-RMB innovation hub and campus will be located in Fengxi New Town and serve as an urbanized science park comprising large tech companies and start-ups in energy, bioengineering, IT, and material sciences.

“The district plan is composed as a series of unique towns, each consisting education, research, commercial, and residential areas. These districts come together at the riverfront—which is envisioned to become one of Xi’an’s most civic spaces—and fan out into the agriculture fields designated for experimental crops.”

The 291-hectare site will be located next to the Wei River and will dedicate over a third of its area to green space, from green roofs to large finger-like parks.

The Xi’an Innovation Harbor is planned to be in full operation by 2020 and will be put on display during Beijing Design Week 2015 (September 24 - October 30) as part of the “next city lab” exhibition.

What the site currently looks like.

The masterplan emphasizes open space and green space, and all the essential services and large parks are within a five-minute walking range.

The masterplan emphasizes open space and green space, and all the essential services and large parks are within a five-minute walking range.

The hub will also provide homes, schools, healthcare, and commercial services for around 40,000 people, as well as house the new campus for Xi’an Jiaotong University.