The Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City Investment and Development Co Ltd (GKC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Denmark's CLEAN Cluster on June 11. The signing of the MOU will strengthen the collaboration between China and Denmark in the field of sustainable urban solutions for the future. CLEAN's experience in exporting Danish solutions for climate and environmental challenges will assist GKC Co in the development of a sustainable city.
     CLEAN is Denmark's largest clean technology cluster with the main objective of promoting green technology and increasing the rate of employment in green industries in Denmark. It was established on 9 May 2014 following the merger between Copenhagen Cleantech Cluster and Lean Energy Cluster. CLEAN has approximately 170 corporate members and a project portfolio of DKK 500 million.
     Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City Investment and Development Co Ltd was incorporated in Guangzhou in September 2011. The 50-50 joint venture company was established by Singbridge and Guangzhou Development District Administrative Committee (GDD) to be the master developer of the Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City (SSGKC) - developing the 6.27 sq km Start-Up Area (SUA) as the first phase, and subsequently the rest of the 123 sq km SSGKC in stages.
     SSGKC is progressively taking shape in the northern part of Guangzhou city. Covering about 123 sq km, a whole new city located 25 km from the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport will be developed over the coming 20 years with an initial investment set at RMB4 billion. It will accommodate a population of approximately 500,000 people as well as industry clusters, residential and educational areas.
     The project is aiming to shift Guangdong's economy from a labour-intensive industry to a knowledge-intensive industry, which Singapore did in the mid-80s. SSGKC is looking to get more international communities and talent on board. The project will offer 250,000 job opportunities by 2030.
     A rail link between Guangzhou and Hong Kong is being completed and will stop at Guangzhou Knowledge City. The rail link is expected to reduce the Guangzhou-Hong Kong commute to one hour.
     Jointly designed by Singapore's DP Architects and Guangdong Architectural Institute, the new urban designs showcase strong waterfront elements adapted from Singapore's Marina Bayfront area.
     The SSGKC project continues as the next iconic project of Sino-Singapore cooperation after the Suzhou Industrial Park and Tianjin Eco City. The vision of SSGKC is to be a unique, vibrant and sustainable city that is highly attractive to both talents and knowledge-based industries, and to serve as a model and catalyst for Guangdong's economic transformation.
     Six pillar industries have been identified for development, namely: Next Generation Information & Communication Technology (ICT), Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, Clean Technology, Next Generation Materials, Culture & Creative Industries, and Science & Education services. In addition to these, SSGKC will also be developing its Headquarters Economy capabilities.
     It seeks to build a home for all to live, work and play through its strategic initiatives of Smart City, Eco City and Learning City, complemented by Software Collaboration projects and programmes where Singapore's experience can be adapted.


SSGKC -- a sustainable city


SSGKC master plan <Enlarge>