On December 10, 2019 the China Urban Operation Forum was hosted by the Shanghai City Government. Focusing on “Humanistic IP + Urban Operation”, industry leaders from around the world were invited to share their thoughts and ideas on the latest developments in technology and how it can impact urban developments. With an ever-growing demand for high-tech innovation in Chinese cities, this forum served as a platform for industry heads to gather and discuss how they can work together with developers in implementing these developments and plan for the future.
Building for the Future
While planning for major urban center developments as a whole may be a daunting task requiring collaboration between a wide range of parties, developing and testing programs in a more controlled environment is highly feasible. To that end the Shanghai government has decided to specifically focus on developments in and around their designated International Coastal Tourism Resort Zones.
EDGcompany – specifically EDGventures - is aiming to become the master developer to bridge the gap between government, investors, real estate developers, operators, IP brands and technology giants in tackling the task of bringing a modern solution to new developmental centers. EDGventures is aiming to facilitate incorporating the latest technological frameworks and infrastructures that global tech giants have to offer over an area of 3 square kilometers.
The Technology Behind the Destinations
When focusing on developing “smart tourism destinations” projects are built to focus on one goal in particular: incorporating and utilizing state-of-the-art technology to connect all aspects and improve guest experience. To achieve this it is important to first understand what, exactly, these technologies entail and how they may impact the development cycle when planning for the future.
Perhaps one of the greatest developments as of late is that of 5G technologies. Enabling connectivity never before thought possible by transmitting over 1,000 gigabits of data per second – 100 times faster than that of 4G networks – various sensors can now be embedded in virtually every physical device that makes up what is commonly referred to as the Internet of Things (IoT). An overarching framework, the IoT is what keeps everything in the destination connected – from geospatial technology that can provide accurate location tracking data for all guests to advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms able to analyze guest needs and execute solutions before problems are even encountered.
This interconnectivity not only allows destination managers but even city management officials to have a precise understanding of how the city is working, and implement modern robotics to automate solutions faster and more efficiently in conjunction with human elements. When coupled with Virtual or Augmented Reality (VR/AR) interactions and the ability decentralize payment systems via blockchain this means both analysis and solutions to problems never before considered feasible are now fully viable on a grand scale.
Coastal Considerations
This project does not come without risks and considerations inherent to coastal areas in particular, though. As discussed at our previous article, Bringing a “Theme” to Smart Cities , (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/bringing-theme-smart-cities-praveen-rao/) many coastal regions around the world are needing to consider how to approach issues such as coastal erosion and rising sea levels when developing new areas – particularly when settling foundations and installing new technological infrastructures away from main urban hubs. With this in mind, EDGventures hopes to facilitate one of the strongest direct collaborations ever between government, investors, real estate developers, operators, IP brands and technology giants and establish a framework for future developments along coastal areas looking to incorporate Smart City planning from the ground up.
The project is set to take place over the next 10 years and actively utilize technologies that are tried and tested previously in other Smart Tourism projects as well as incorporate new technologies currently in projects as they become available to create a truly modernized destination. It is EDGventures hopes that this concept can not only effectively tackle the needs in this particular zone but also be applied to other coastal areas around the world to help Smart City developers create their own programs for truly incorporating Smart Tourism concepts into their own cities.
After the Forum
EDGcompany’s Managing Director Brian Kou would like to give special thanks to all the speakers and industry leaders who were able to attend the China Urban Operation Forum and share their expertise: Mr. Kong Dan, Former chairman of CITIC Group; Mr. He Jingtang, Chief Architect of the China Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo; Mr. Wu Zhi Qiang, Chief Planner of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and Vice President of Tongji University; Mr. Albert Xhaferri, CEO/Producer of the Miss Globe® Beauty pageant Show. Other distinguished guests from Huawei 5G Technologies, Brightvision Capital Partners, Beijing Enterprises Clean Energy Electric Power Limited and many others as well came to share with us their visions on Shanghai International Coastal Tourism Resort.
At EDGventures we are pleased to be working closely with local government, technology companies, investors, smart city experts, real estate developers, operators and intellectual properties groups to create a next generation tourism destination.
EDGventures, an entrepreneurial arm of EDGcompany, is focused on the creation of and investment into new innovative tourism products and venues.
What are your own thoughts on incorporating Smart Tourism into Smart Coastal Cities and incorporating technology from the ground up?
Please share your comments and this article with others who you might think can join the conversation!
For further information please contact,
Praveen Rao
Regional Marketing Director
EDGcompany
Tel: +86 (21) 6103 6718
Email:praveen.rao@edgasiapacific.com
Web: www.edgcompany.com(English)
