Australian Professor Dufu Wen: Urban Planning of Changchun Will Be Realised in Concrete Terms

The early morning in Changchun is clear blue and the air is crisp and clean. The hotel breakfast was extensive and delicious with a vast selection, but I settled for porridge and coffee. The night before we had eaten a sumptuous banquet. The heads of Jilin Cyberspace Administration had hosted us.

Caption: CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. [Photo by Dufu Wen]

Day two started with a visit to the CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. The engines made here power China network of high-speed rail. Clean, sparse and nearly silent the spacious hanger style production spaces are set out in long clean lines of engine and four or six carriages ready for final fit out. Among the long lines of gleaming white workers in smart technical grey overalls worked quietly and efficiently.

Sleek grey and angular, the aerodynamic ‘Fuxingʼ models can reach operational speeds exceeding 340kms. And, will be in full operation between key cities in time for the winter Olympics in 2022. Jilin and Chinaʼs northeast are important destinations for the winter economy and recreational sports.

Caption: Australian professor Dufu Wen is taking a photo in Changguang Statellite Technology Con., Ltd. [Photo by Ge Ningyuan]

Jilin made Chinaʼs first rail carriages, first automobiles and trucks, first laser and first film. Today Jilin is home to Changguang Satellite Technology Co., Ltd., Chinaʼs first privately owned and operated satellite tech company. It produces a range of state-of-the-art satellites used extensively for imaging, mapping and meteorology as well as traffic, disaster and ecological measurement and management. The company also produces advanced imaging and multi- purpose aerial drones used for agriculture, ecology and monitoring.

Caption: Dufu Wen is looking at the exhibition in the Changchun City Planning Exhibition Hall [Photo by Li Peng]

Under an expanse of blue sky Jilinʼs latest architectural marvel is the Changchun City Planning Exhibition Hall. A golden tribute to the peony flower it swirls upwards and outwards. Inside is over 17,000 square metres of exhibits, two cinemaʼs, and some of the best video, digital and interactive displays I have seen.

The cityʼs past is a recreation of old Jilin and very immersive. The future of the city is experienced through an immense surround screen projection with clever light and sound design. I have been in China long enough to know that the simulated experience will be realised in concrete terms both on the scale and timeline planned.