Located at the very center of Xiamen, Jimei Eastern New City sits on the eastern coastal side of Jimei District. It is the convergence point of Xiamen's cross-island and bay development and a key node in the city's new "Island-Bay Integration" pattern. The planning area covers approximately 3.8 square kilometers and is adjacent to Jimei Cultural and Educational Zone, Jimei North Industrial Zone, and the Meifeng area of Xiamen Science City. It boasts a multi-dimensional transportation hub with the efficient and well - functioning Metro Line 6 and BRT Lines.

The Jimei District government work report has explicitly stated that it will strive to enhance the city's quality and initiate the planning of the Eastern New City area to a standard higher than that of the downtown area, outlining a grand blueprint for the region's future development. Guided by this ambitious goal, OBERMEYER was invited to take charge of the overall urban design and underground space planning for Xiamen Jimei Eastern New City.

Rooted in the "Island-Bay Integration" development strategy, the plan aims to establish Jimei Eastern New City as a gateway for urban development and a benchmark for integration. By leveraging Jimei's local advantages, the plan seeks to create a vibrant, business-friendly, tourist-appealing, and livable city, as well as a hub for the convergence of technology, culture, and ecological elements—the "Tan Kah Kee Sci-Tech and Art City." The core design concept, "Mountains and sea nurture gardens, culture shapes unique identities, gathering the momentum of a thousand sails, and soaring along the East China Sea coast," guides the development of the "Tan Kah Kee Sci-Tech and Art City." The plan deepens the integration of functional spaces and establishes an overall functional spatial structure of "one shore, one harbor, and three areas."

One Shore - Jimei Sci-Tech and Art Innovation Coast (Cultural Reception Hall)

Rooted in the beauty of Jimei and carrying forward the "spirit of three cultures," the plan builds a platform for international cultural exchanges, gathers international enterprises and international business support, and creates a demonstration of international industry-city integration. It helps Xiamen build a higher level of high-quality, high-value modern international city and a city of culture and art with global influence.

The architectural design blends the flowing roof form of Minnan architecture with the open corridor façade seen in the South Seas region, which is well - ventilated, aiming to construct a coastal landmark complex. This design creates a unique architectural style that is deeply rooted in the region's natural and cultural environment. Through the use of sub - surface greenways, skywalks, etc., the subway station, community parks, and the Sci-Tech and Arts Innovation Coastal Building are connected. This forms a new kind of urban space that encourages interaction and innovation, with an urban spatial landscape that is interconnected, highly efficient, diverse, vertically three - dimensional, and rich in Minnan-inspired characteristics.

One Harbor - Minnan Sci-Tech Innovation Port

Leveraging the industrial advantages of the northern region and the resource strengths of Jimei's educational institutions, the plan aims to create a hub for the integration of industry, academia, and research. By developing a large-scale intelligent manufacturing industrial cluster along Tongji Road, the area will provide robust support for science and technology innovation in Xiamen and the broader Minnan region.

First, utilizing the existing land in the area, attracting key disciplinary resources of universities and innovative enterprises, conducting joint R&D and incubation between universities and enterprises, cultivating cutting-edge hot spot industrial markets, and creating an incubation highland for specialized, innovative small and medium-sized enterprises. Second, building industry innovation platforms, enterprise innovation centers, project incubation bases, technology pilot bases, etc., to provide innovative enterprises and research institutions with flexible, efficient, and diverse space carriers, along with comprehensive front-end and back-end industrial services to accelerate the landing of technology and the commercialization process.

Through five measures, the physical boundary between industry and city is to be eliminated and full integration of industry and city is to be promoted.

1. Land use and enterprise access: The development will focus on high-standard industrial land use with stringent entry criteria, ensuring minimal impact on surrounding communities.
2. Green buffers: A multi-tiered greenbelt system will be implemented to create sufficient ecological separation between industrial and residential zones.
3. Building function zoning: Production facilities will be clustered along Tongji Road, while research and office functions will be located near residential areas.
4. Publicized architectural image: Industrial buildings will adopt a public architectural aesthetic to minimize visual impact on surrounding residential and educational areas.
5. Freight traffic management: By optimizing the traffic organization and control forms of the Science and Technology Innovation Port, the impact of freight on residents, communities, and schools will be minimized.

Three areas - International Talent Community and Sci-Tech and Innovation Talent Community

According to the positioning of the target population, the plan analyzes the work, life, entertainment, and leisure needs of different communities and plans diversified residential units. Through the construction of multi-level, high-quality, and comprehensive community public service facilities and educational facilities, as well as "a ring, a belt" direct access to the coastal paths and open space, it meets the needs of 15-minute/10-minute/5-minute living circles. Together, it builds "one international talent community and two science and technology innovation talent communities" to provide comprehensive services for international talents, elite talents, and blue-collar workers.

One International Talent Community

Guided by the needs of international talent, the International Talent Community offers diversified residential areas, international schools, international workplaces, and international commercial, entertainment, and leisure facilities. It aims to create an international talent community in Jimei that features an overseas atmosphere, multiculturalism, innovative careers, livable living, and service guarantees.

Two major Sci-Tech Innovation Talent Community

Focusing on the needs of innovative professionals, the community offers modern, convenient, and livable spaces. Leveraging its strategic location and future dual-track transit hub, it creates a dynamic and vibrant environment that attracts talent from across the island and beyond.

In the future, "Tan Kah Kee‌ Sci-Tech and Art City" will focus on "science and technology" for "R & D and services"; feature "art" to build "creative design" and "cultural exhibitions" industry highlands; and rely on "business, trade services" and "living services" to achieve the development vision of "gathering people to build the city, strengthening learning and industry." It is committed to creating the "Minnan Sci-Tech Innovation Highlands and a Vibrant Bay New City."

The planning is full of imagination. This is a place where tradition meets innovation and where the city of tomorrow takes shape. Thus, the future development of Jimei East New City is worth our common expectations!