China Hitting New Heights, Article Review Example

The article China: Hitting new heights reflects upon the booming commercial construction sector in China that has been employing innovative construction technologies and building methods including sustainable construction. The article states that not only these buildings are being built using innovative techniques and more efficient use of building materials but even more astonishing is the pace at which projects are being completed. China expects to complete 40 percent of all skyscrapers over the next six years and these skyscrapers will redefine the way buildings will be built going forward (Jackson).

China is attracting some of the world’s best design and construction firms and the government has been offering incentives to encourage sustainable construction. In addition, the country has no dearth of manpower which explains how Changsha hotel was only built in 15 days. Perhaps the most daring example of Chinese construction boom will be 121 storey, $19 billion Shanghai Tower which when completed will be one of the world’s most sustainable tall buildings (Jackson).

This article has several implications. First of all, the government is committed to sustainable technologies because it would not only help it secure its energy future and tackle the problem of environmental pollution but may also become a leading exportable of sustainable technologies. The government hopes that it will create a positive image of the country in the world and affirms its commitment to environmental issues. The innovation in the construction sector is also China’s message to the world that it doesn’t merely want to be the manufacturing center of the world but is also determined the lead the world in research and innovation.

China also hopes that its investment in research and development activities will help it attract more talent from overseas as well as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in research activities. China realizes it has a much larger population to support and the economic development will only increase demand for housing. Thus, it wants to experiment with sustainable construction and hopes that the lessons will be transferable to small-scale construction projects as well. One example is the Tianjin Eco-City, a carbon neutral city which will host 350,000 residents.

China is also focused on skyscrapers because they will be the symbol of China’s economic rise in the world and will help Chinese cities such as Shanghai and Beijing become one of the leading financial centers in the world. China may hope that the low cost of construction due to more efficient use of building materials as the construction of Changsha hotel demonstrated, will also encourage more companies to open global headquarters in China and further increase inflow of capital.

China’s new strategy may be realization of the fact that labor advantage and manufacturing competencies can only be maintained for so long and the ultimate key to economic development is innovation and intellectual capital which are more difficult to imitate. China also wants to send the message that it can also be intellectual hub of the world and not just manufacturing hub.

Reference

Jackson, Stanley. China: Hitting new heights. 15 October 2012. 6 November 2012 <http://www.constructiondigital.com/architectural_design/china-hitting-new-heights>.