9th UABB to kick off in Luohu in Nov.

THE 9th Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture (UABB) will raise the curtain in Luohu District in late November, according to a news conference held by the Shenzhen Municipal Government Information Office yesterday.

UABB, also known as the UrbanismArchitecture Bi-City Biennale of Shenzhen and Hong Kong, is considered the world’s only Biennale or Biennial exhibition to focus specifically on urbanism and urbanization.

Themed “Urban Cosmologies,” the three-month exhibition highlights the green and sustainable development of contemporary cities, cities’ strategies to address global warming and climate change, and exploration of a path of harmonious coexistence between human and nature, Ding Qiang, deputy head of the city’s planning and natural resources bureau, said in the news briefing.

UABB’s main venue is located at what used to be Kingway Brewery. Huo Guangyong, Luohu District Government’s deputy head, said that this is the first time in Shenzhen that the demolition of old industrial buildings and the comprehensive renovation of old areas are organically integrated.

The exhibit zone in Luohu will cover over 10,000 square meters, and over 100 creative activities will be held there over the three months, he added.

Likewise, six subvenues will be set up across the city, including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Youth Entrepreneurship Industrial Park in Qianhai, Nantou Ancient Town in Nanshan District and Shenzhen International Low Carbon Town in Longgang District.

At that time, more than 300 domestic and foreign candidates from 14 countries and regions will participate in the biennale to share their thoughts and ideas about new prospects for future cities, according to Wang Zigeng, one of the chief curators of UABB.

The ninth biennale will include a special exhibition zone featuring a book exhibition, global apparel, resources circulation and a stray animal rescue project, among others. Three themed exhibition halls focusing on UABB brands, Hong Kong and Luohu, will be also established, respectively.

This year, the biennale is centered on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and is anticipated to raise people’s awareness of the cities and environment in the GBA, Wang said.

During the exhibitions, young global designers and researchers will showcase their brilliance to explore a new development mode for the GBA and figure out a practical solution in achieving high-quality development with low carbon emission.

UABB, founded in 2005, has exhibited 1,900 excellent works from around the world, organized over 900 events and attracted 1.65 million visitors. (Shenzhen Daily)