Could a former county transform into a high-tech hub? Today we are in Nanhai District of Foshan. It is located in Guangdong Province, China. Nanhai District was once Nanhai County. This area now forms both Nanhai District in Foshan and Liwan District in Guangzhou.
Nanhai is not just any district. It is a high-technology area within Foshan. Nanhai is even under consideration as an Observer city in the URBiNAT project. This project aims to address challenges. These include housing, economic growth, air pollution and public transport.
The Foshan West Railway Station Hub New Town is key to Nanhai’s development. This area includes transportation, business, commerce and residential zones. Also, it features industrial clusters.
A Healthy Corridor is planned for Nanhai. It will be a green connection, linking important city nodes. It will improve travel for citizens. It will also contribute to healthy footpaths. Five Living Labs will be built along this corridor. Various Nature-Based Solutions, or NBS, will be implemented during its creation.
The National Smart City Joint Lab coordinates China’s participation in URBiNAT. This lab supports smart city development across China. Nanhai is connected with URBiNAT’s concepts. These include NBS, Healthy Corridors and Living Labs. Citizen engagement is central to the local context. It supports social well-being. Challenges include urbanization, transportation, water management and sustainable energy.
Foshan itself is a major city. It sits on the west bank of the Pearl River. Together with Guangzhou, it forms a large metropolitan area. Foshan consists of five districts: Chancheng, Nanhai, Shunde, Gaoming and Sanshui.
Privately owned companies drive Foshan’s economy. They account for about 70% of commercial enterprises. Key businesses include Midea, Country Garden and Galanz. Foshan’s economy is based on manufacturing. This includes machinery, appliances, ceramics, metal products and textiles. Emerging industries are also present. These include optoelectronics, new materials and new energy vehicles.
Since 2015, Foshan has been a pilot city for manufacturing reform. The Sino-German Industrial Service Zone attracts industrial technological services. It focuses on developing high-end technology services. This strengthens cooperation with Europe’s high-tech sector.
Foshan is upgrading its service industries. It prioritizes finance, logistics, conventions, industrial design and outsourcing. Agriculture in Foshan focuses on flowers, aquatic products and stock farming. It has the mainland’s largest moth orchid production. It is also known as China’s hometown for eels and freshwater fry.
A key project is the Nanhai Cultural Center. It is currently under construction. It is expected to be completed in 2025. It will feature a library, exhibition spaces, sports facilities and performance halls. The central space will be a welcoming plaza. The architects aim to evoke the natural beauty of the Guangzhou Lingnan region. They also want to incorporate local traditional dwellings.
So, as we stand here in Nanhai, we see a blend of history and future. From a former county to a high-tech district. Nanhai is transforming. It is innovative and forward-thinking. It is creating its own unique identity.