Tianjin, the third largest city in China, is the second largest and busiest port city in the country. Located only 130 kilometers from Beijing, the city has a long history of trade and commerce. In 1986, the Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Area (TEDA) was created. Today, it is China’s largest and most profitable economic trade area. Many of the world’s largest companies, such as Motorola, Glaxo Smith Kline, and Nestle, have established manufacturing facilities at TEDA and the growth continues as favorable business conditions exist for multi-national companies.
As part of an effort to move beyond a highly successful industrial development park and to improve the quality of life in the area, TEDA asked Cuningham Group and Parsons to develop a master plan for a two-million square meter development. This development, in essence, is virtually a new city in the making. The master plan contains significant commercial development with several major icons, including a world-class soccer stadium and convention center, and a retail entertainment complex. The plan also includes offices, a sports center, a multi-use stadium, a rail station, and 5,000 multifamily housing units. Design and construction has already begun on several components of this far-reaching plan.