A third of the world's tech startups with a value of over $ 1 billion are based in China. Such a "billionaire" company is called a "unicorn", and therefore the island in Chengdu, intended for super-successful young firms and aspiring to become such start-ups, is called Unicorn Island, "Unicorn Island". Four bureaus won the competition for his masterplan in 2018: OMA and Morphosis, firms of Norman Foster and Arata Isozaki. Now we are talking only about the Zaha Hadid Architects project.
Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, makes chips for half of the world's laptops and is also a leading manufacturer of parts for mobile devices. They plan to further develop the electronic and information sphere, therefore, to the south of the center, since 2011, a “New Tianfu Zone” is being created for it. Its construction will last until 2030, and its total area will be more than 1,500 km2. The project also includes the preservation and restoration of the characteristic marshy landscape of the area.
It is on this territory that "Unicorn Island" is being created. Its layout is inspired by the engineering history of Chengdu. A large-scale irrigation system was built near the city in the 3rd century BC
Dujiangyan, preserved to this day and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It supplies water to the fields and at the same time protects them from flooding. The second source of inspiration has come from state-of-the-art hydro-engineering projects that restore the ecosystem, control floods and create recreational areas.
Unicorn Island with an area of 67 hectares is intended for 70,000 researchers and office workers, residents, visitors. The radial plan with the main square and the metro station in the center will allow you to quickly reach any point on foot or by bike. The idea will be adjusted as it is implemented: the height and composition of each "cluster" can change.
The masterplan provides for numerous green areas and reservoirs. It is assumed that an irrigation system and city farms will be arranged on the shore of the island from the side of Lake Xinglonghu, which will provide the "islanders" with fresh vegetables and fruits.
