Cityscape gains a foothold in China

A total of 85 exhibitors, from 24 different countries, covering over 6,000 square metres of exhibition space, networked with 2,500 participants during the event. Industry majors such as Limitless, Tanmiyat, Fortune Investment Group, Denis Lau, Arquitectonica, Hill International, Halcrow and GHD were amongst the 2,500 international participants at the showcase.

Neil Hickman, Exhibition Director, commented, 'With China in an almost permanent state of urbanisation and the trend towards large scale mixed-use developments, major developers participated at Cityscape to highlight their expertise with similar projects elsewhere in the world. Although 2,500 participants were moderate by Cityscape standards, it remains the largest international launch event on the Chinese mainland.'

Inaugurating Cityscape China, guest of honour, Jiang Xue Gen, Vice Director of Shanghai Municipal People's Government, Foreign Economic Relations & Trade Commission Trade Development Department, extended a warm welcome to all exhibitors and delegates. 'I believe that Cityscape China 2007 will bring inspiring ideas to China's domestic real estate development and splendid opportunities to the real estate industry as a whole,' he stated.

Underlining the government's commitment, Jiang Xue Gen was accompanied by Gong Weigang, Secretary General of Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Industries Association; Shen Zhengchao, Vice Chairman of Shanghai Real Estate Group and Zhao Long Jie, Executive Vice President and Secretary General of Shanghai Real Estate Association.

One surprise guest was Sheikh Rashid bin Humeid Al Naeimi, President of the Municipality and Planning Department in Ajman, who visited Cityscape as a part of a broader mission to seek out investors for Ajman's own growing real estate sector and to identify the latest trends in contemporary architecture.

Elsewhere Dubai-based Paramount properties used the showcase to make two multi-million dollar announcements for its US$ 370 million residential development project in Dubai. Hong Kong-based Ho & Partners was awarded the architectural support services contract and an MOU for the main contractor was signed with Beijing-based China Building Technique Group.

Commenting on the overall event, Mark Jared, Business Development Manager for Limitless in China, said: 'Our participation in Cityscape China has reinforced our intention to form a strategic relationship between Dubai and China. Our ability to create large scale, mixed-use urban developments means that we are ideally placed to help China to fulfill its long term plans for growth. With potential projects in Qingdao, Tianjin and Shanghai, Cityscape China gave us the opportunity to tell our story to more potential partners and investors.'

Providing consistency with the brand, the Cityscape China conference which took place at the Sheraton Hotel, adjacent to INTEX, featured four days of stimulating presentations, discussion and debate as well as specialist workshops, exciting site visits, project showcases of outstanding real estate projects and priceless networking opportunities.

More than 40 leading regional and international industry players shared their experience and insight into the burgeoning Chinese real estate market. On the agenda for discussion were key issues including, understanding China's complex legal and regulatory environment, capitalising on the rapid expansion of China's real estate market and the issues of first versus second tier cities. In addition the renowned World Architectural Conference took place at the Renaissance Hotel, in all providing a cluster of top international industry events.

The Shanghai event was the first time that industry professionals in China had been exposed to the Cityscape concept. 'Cityscape China addressed all areas of the development cycle and offered an upstream alternative to the traditional downstream marketing events, dovetailing investors with developers and architects. The concept was well received and our brand awareness campaign now has a platform to build upon,' added Hickman.