A Comparison of the Public Realm in CBDs in Shenzhen

摘要

Objective: This paper tracked the emergence process of three CBDs in Shenzhen, and made a comparison of the public realm among them. Methods: Field investigation was conducted over the public realm in the three CBDs, including land use, parking, motor & non-motor traffic and public space. Results: Luohu CBD grew spontaneously out of the old city center. The CBD looks vital and crowded: Life is convenient here but the crowded environment seems not suited for business. The latter "elaborately planned" two CBDs made a lot of revisions. However, in Futian CBD, the huge size Axis Park and the wide Shennan Road became an obstacle for non-motor traffic. The generation 3 CBD Qianhai is mostly under construction. Conclusion: The challenges that Luohu faces are the crowded spaces, heavy traffic, insufficient parking spaces and shortage of public spaces. Its development mode should transfer from horizontal to vertical. The Futian CBD is better for motor traffic, but the cycling and pedestrian system never forms a convenient traffic system among the business buildings inside the CBD. The urban design of the earlier two CBDs also provides lot of inspiration and lessons for the public realm for Qianhai.