British Prime Minister David Cameron has welcomed the announcement that Atkins, the UK’s largest design, engineering and project management consultancy, will be involved in the long term planning of a major new development in Fuzhou, on China’s east coast.
A strategic framework cooperation agreement between Atkins and AVIC Joy Air Holdings Ltd. (AVIC), a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corporation in China, was signed as part of the programme of the recent UK China Business Summit in Beijing. It was one of the first events attended by delegates from the UK Prime Minister’s trade mission to the country.
Atkins’ chairman Allan Cook, who was part of the UK delegation, said: ‘Atkins has been supporting clients in this region for more than 40 years. We are the largest urban planning team in China and now, as we all face some unprecedented challenges, it’s even more important that we work together to find innovative and sustainable solutions.’
The site is located within an environmentally sensitive area, with low-lying land surrounded by natural rivers and watercourses. Plans will need to address the risk of extreme weather events such as sub-tropical typhoons and heavy rainfall, which are possible in this area. In its role with AVIC , Atkins will set out a vision for a new town in Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian Province, large-scale industrial park for aviation related activity, and a ten-kilometre tunnel as well as express way that will connect to Fuzhou city.
Initial investment in the area is expected to be around 15 billion RMB, with subsequent investment taking the total value to an expected 50 billion RMB. Construction of the development is scheduled to begin in early 2014. Upon completion, it will provide more than six million m2 of office, research and development, hotel, commercial and residential floor space, with housing for 110,000 residents.