Internet of Things town offers great connections
Hangzhou’s Binjiang District government strives to build itself into “a district with strongest digital economy in the country.” Its Internet of Things Town plays an important role in achieving that goal.
The town clusters a group of high-tech and Internet companies. In its 3.66-square-kilometer area are around 89,000 employees in 452 companies, including 11 listed companies and 61 national-level high-tech enterprises. Last year, it achieved 207.7 billion yuan (US$30.07 billion) in revenue.
In 2021, the town is expected to add around 300 enterprises in the fields of cloud computing, big data, information security and chip manufacture, with revenue expected to reach 300 billion yuan.
The Internet of Things Town boasts 12 technology parks with an area of 340,000 square meters, two startup incubators and two tech hubs.
One of China’s leading automobile manufacturers, Geely has already settled in the Internet of Things Town.
In April, the organizing committee of the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games announced cooperation with Geely Group to develop “Smart Asian Games.” Geely will provide smart transport between downtown and sports areas during the event.
Since its establishment, the town has spared no effort in supporting leading companies and building cluster effects. It has already formed a digital economy industrial chain.
For instance, the information security industry is typified by Das-security, DP Tech and Macrosan. The environment industry is led by FPI and LHD. Meanwhile, Confirmware and AIMS represent the smart manufacturing industry.
In April, Geely, Hikvision, Dahua Tech and Herenit — all have presence in the town — were invited to attend the Hong Kong ICT Expo 2019, showcasing Hangzhou’s big data technology and “city brain” project covering safety, transport and medical systems.
The town’s digital security industry is listed as a pilot of a national innovative industrial cluster project.
The booming digital economy also gives the local tourism industry a boost with professionals, industry insiders, entrepreneurs and university students coming to study and for cooperation.
It is estimated that more than 300,000 tourists visited the town last year, a fourfold increase from a year earlier. During the busy season, the daily visitor number reached 2,000 with a rising number of people from Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asian countries in recent years.
Visitors can linger over the latest smart products at companies’ exhibition halls. They provide people with new angles on life and help companies look for potential consumers at the same time.
The local government has developed a tourist path that combines smart technology experiences with popular science. It links nine sites, including the Volvo Automobile Museum, Hikvision Exhibition Space and Tmall Shopping Store.
Night view of the Internet of Things Town at Binjiang District
The town nestles alongside Xixing Town, a protected old town with traditional-style folk houses and streets and time-honored brands. When developing local tourism, administrative departments integrated technology with the service industry in a bid to attract more visitors.
Technology also applies in the Internet of Things Town’s daily management. A three-dimensional information cloud platform is used to link every facet and corner. Management is streamlined through the platform, which in return helps companies enhance their business effectiveness.
In an effort to attract quality enterprises and incubate more innovative companies, the local government has invested 11.5 billion yuan in constructing office buildings. Currently, about 30 projects are under construction, covering over 2.6 million square meters. These buildings will be equipped with big data and Internet technology to create a new method of real estate management.
The town now boasts 12 technology parks with an area of 340,000 square meters, two startup incubators and two tech hubs. Government departments have upgraded services by offering a series of preferential policies, such as hosting intellectual right protection seminars and new high-tech application meetings.
Local residential communities also hold startup, entrepreneurship, innovation, education and entertainment activities to support and enrich the life of those who work there.
