ATLANTA, GA (FEBRUARY 11, 2016)  --  “Smart Cities,” defined as metro areas that leverage digital technology and intelligent design to facilitate sustainability along with high-quality living and high-paying jobs, are emerging as a force in China, according to a new CoreNet Global report.

“Over the past two decades, China has had a powerful economic engine that has driven rapid infrastructure growth across the country in projects ranging from high-speed rail and airports to office towers and shopping malls,” the report states. “So, it is no surprise that China also is moving onto the high-tech super highway with ambitious plans to develop a fleet of “smart cities.”

China’s urban population surpassed that of the rural population in 2011 and it is estimated that by 2035 there will be more than 70 percent of the population living in urban areas.  That urbanization is creating more pressure for China to leverage digital technology to create smarter cities.

“China Central Government is very supportive of the smart city initiative,” said Emily Kong, managing director of Cisco Services in Asia Pacific, Japan and China. “The smart city initiative is high on the national agenda with government funding support and financial backing by China Development Bank,” she said.

Initially, there were several ‘beachhead’ cities that embraced Smart City initiatives such as Hangzhou, Chongqing and Chengdu. Subsequently, the China Central Government issued clear guidelines to roll out smart cities in a systematic and more widespread way.

While smart cities are definitely on the long-term agenda for China’s strategic planning, their impact on corporate real estate and site location decisions remains to be determined.

“The primary considerations for corporate location decisions are often operating costs and access to talent, as well as general supply chain logistics,” the report said.  “But certainly, the overall business climate, local economy and quality of life a city or region offers does factor into location decisions. For example, some of the common elements of smart cities involve creating safer city living with smoother traffic flow and a greener and healthier environment.”

For a copy of the full report, contact david@harrisoncommunications.net

About CoreNet Global

CoreNet Global is the world’s leading professional association for corporate real estate (CRE) executives with strategic responsibility for the real property used by multinational corporations for their own operations. CoreNet Global’s more than 9,500 members, who include 70% of the top 100 U.S. companies and nearly half of the Global 2000, meet locally, globally and virtually to develop networks, share knowledge, learn and thrive professionally. For more information, please visit www.corenetglobal.org.

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David Harrison
CoreNet Global
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david@harrisoncommunications.net