An aerial photo of residential buildings in South Taizihu Innovation Valley. [Photo provided to en.whkfq.gov.cn]
South Taizihu Innovation Valley and the Digital Publishing Base of Huazhong Intelligent Valley – both located in Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone (WEDZ), have been designated as design demonstration parks in Wuhan, according to local news reports on Feb 27.
South Taizihu Innovation Valley, one of the earliest innovation valleys to be approved by the municipal government, contains a planned construction area of 1 million square meters. The valley is mainly painted white and brown, embodying the advancement of industrial eras and combining its layout with practical needs.
During the sixth Wuhan Design Biennale last year, the valley served as a main venue for the event, and featured a themed art museum built out of eight abandoned workshops. Having held the biennale three times in a row, the valley has attracted more design companies and sci-tech firms.
The Digital Publishing Base of Huazhong Intelligent Valley is China's fourth such base as well as Central China's first digital publishing base that is committed to building a digital and cultural comprehensive service platform.
The first phase of the base was put into use in 2016. By the end of 2021, it was home to 208 digital publishing and cultural technology enterprises and institutions, with an annual output surpassing 12 billion yuan ($1.9 billion).
The second phase, which will begin operating soon, occupies an area of 350,000 sq m and contains company headquarters, R&D, talent apartments, and business hotels.