At the evaluation meeting for planning the upgrade of Weifang National Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone held on Oct 25, bids from Shanghai Tongji Urban Planning and Design Institute, Dorell Ghotmeh Tane/Architects Ltd and W&R Group came first, second and third, respectively.

The Weifang high-tech zone began wooing urban planning companies from across the world in June to upgrade its 110-square-kilometer area, set to include new international features.

Seven organizations were short-listed for the evaluation meeting, where they presented their design ideas and answered questions raised by the bid evaluation committee. The committee had five planning experts, including Qiu Baoxing, a Beijing-based housing expert and former vice-minister with the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.

Experts selected the top three designs fit for the zone based on aspectssuchasdesignconcepts, space layout, livability and environmental protection.

"Buildingan international zone that integrates the functions of industry and the city is the foundation for interna-tionalized innovation," said Chu Baojie, Weifang's director of communications and Party chief of the zone's working committee.

Chu said innovation must be carried out with an international perspective and be supported by experts from home and abroad.

Throughout its development, Weifang high-iech zone has always featured international qualities. Advertisements in the zone are in both Chinese and English. An innovationsupporting industrial park within the zone, named Blue Wisdom Valley, attracts experts from both home and abroad, while enterprises there are also adopting global strategies.

The zone is encouraging more local companies to extend their reach and "goglobal" through acquisitions and joint development, according to the zone's department of communications.