Beijing CBD

The Beijing Central Business District, or Beijing CBD, is the primary area of finance, media, and business services in Beijing, China. Beijing CBD occupies 3.99 km2 of the Chaoyang District on the east side of the city. Geographically situated to the east of the city center, sandwiched between the 3rd Ring Road and the 4th Ring Road, the Beijing CBD is currently undergoing large-scale development. As Beijing is becoming one of the most important international financial centers in China, Beijing CBD was recently positioned as the secondary core area in Beijing's International Financial Center Development strategic plan published in May, 2008. Beijing CBD is also emerging as China's media center as Beijing Television Station (BTV) just moved in its new headquarters (Beijing TV Centre) in this area and the new CCTV Headquarters was officially opened on 1 January 2008.

The Central Business District (CBD) of Beijing is schedule to grow substantially in the near future. Initial growth is designated for the Chaoyang district to its north-east. Seven teams, including one co-led by Space Syntax, were invited to create visions for this expansion. The brief for the competition put a significant emphasis on the twin themes of sustainability and people-centred design. The existing CBD is characterised by high levels of vehicle traffic, high demands on public transport infrastructure and energy-intensive buildings. People travel long distances to reach the CBD and there is a high degree of severance between the CBD and surrounding neighbourhoods. There is a shortage of public open space and of convivial, non-commercial activities.