Ren Lizhi: a chief designer behind Xi'an CID's endeavor to become a city of dreams

Editorial note: The Xi'an High-tech Industries Development Zone will unveil a series of interviews with experts to help the public better appreciate the development and vitality of the Central Innovation District (CID), as well as its commitment to writing a new chapter in the pursuit of the high-quality development. Today's interviewee is Ren Lizhi, chief architect of Tongji Architectural Design (Group) Co., Ltd.

Ren Lizhi, chief architect of Tongji Architectural Design (Group) Co., Ltd, talks about his design and planning philosophy behind the Central Innovation District in Xi'an High-tech Industries Development Zone, Northwest China's Shaanxi province.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In the past decade, Professor Ren has taken part in the design of the Shanghai Tower, the China-funded African Union Conference Center in Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, the China Corporate United Pavilion at the 2015 Milan Expo, and the Dongwu Cultural Center in Suzhou. He has gained rich experience and profound vision in the planning of new areas and in the design of landmark architecture.

Ren admitted that it is a challenging task for him and his teammates to come up with fresh urban planning philosophies that match the CID's goals of promoting the integrated development between science and education, while taking into account the profound historical and cultural heritage of Xi'an in the midst of its efforts to become a city driven by science and technology.

The first time that Ren visited Xi'an was in the 1980s, while a college student at Tongji University. He was surprised to find that there were lots of foreign visitors on local streets and that it was an inclusive place.

Ren and his team have frequently shuttled between Shanghai and Xi'an since they being tasked with the design of the CID in 2019.

In the early days of its planning, the CID was committed to becoming the Silk Road International Financial Center integrated with science & technology and finance. With the upgrading and transformation of the Xi'an Silk Road Science City, the CID has been given the new endeavor to become a sci-tech innovation and application hub and a leading place known for the integration of science and technology.

A blueprint for the Central Innovation District in Xi'an High-tech Industries Development Zone [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

According to Ren, it is of utmost importance for him to design the Xi'an High-tech Industries Development Zone into a new sci-tech city, which will be known for the integration of industry and city, its sound living place and ecological environment, complete infrastructure and convenient transport, since the area has been tasked with building a comprehensive national scientific hub and a national sci-tech innovation center.

In addition, the Xi'an High-tech Industries Development Zone will focus on the basic research and development of sci-tech sectors and is set to attract the settlement of numerous cutting-edge enterprises and high-caliber talents.

So far, the CID has completed the building of a comprehensive transport network. It has also concurrently carried out the construction of other public service facilities, which comprise schools, parks, sewage treatment plants, as well as power and bus stations.

Moreover, the CID has made notable breakthroughs in the commercial utilization of underground space, the implementation of green and ecological development philosophies, and the cultivation of comprehensive consumption models and experience.

During their design and planning of the CID, Ren and his colleagues closely targeted its development orientation, responded to pressing problems, taken action to further optimize space utilization, and sought breakthroughs in improving urban vitalization, living convenience and ecological building, as well as fostering unique city features.

At present, the CID has pressed ahead with the construction of such landmark buildings as the Qinchuang Integrated Circuit Facilitator (Xi'an Electronic Components Valley), the Xi'an Opera House, Xi'an Sci-tech Innovation Fund Park and the Yong'an Commercial, Tourism and Cultural Block in accordance with the urban design and planning drafted by Ren and his team.

Prior to the conclusion of the interview, Ren said that he has full confidence in the realization of all development goals drafted for the CID.