The ground-breaking ceremony for the Bridgehead International Innovation Center was held recently in the Qingdao West Coast New Area.

The ceremony also marked the start of the construction of the Qingdao Bridgehead International Business District, according to the city government.

The district, covering an area of 10 square kilometers, will include two centers, a landscape corridor, a belt and three sub-districts.

The business district project aims to drive the economic growth of the surrounding areas and become a model international business hub, said Zhou An, director of the administrative committee of the Qingdao West Coast New Area at the ceremony.

"It (the project) will also boost the province's opening-up, and provide support for the Belt and Road Initiative and the Qingdao Area of the Shandong Pilot Free Trade Zone," he said.

Among buildings planned in the district is the "Qingdao Star" which is expected to be China's highest edifice with a height of 700 meters.

In addition, nearly 13 square kilometers underground space will be developed, as part of an intensive space utilization system.

When completed, the district will be able to accommodate 300,000 residents.

Representatives participate in the ground-breaking ceremony for the Bridgehead International Innovation Center in the Qingdao West Coast New Area.

The project is also expected to be an intelligent city, featuring the use of new technologies and advanced management systems.

Since transportation is a vital part of daily lives, the district plans to have a transportation network with improved connectivity.

Also, the authorities will strengthen the deep integration of traffic control using information technologies such as big data, cloud computing and 5G technology to make urban traveling "smarter".

Besides transportation, new technologies will also be adopted in other aspects of the city's operation including governance, security and environmental protection, said local officials.

"In the future, people here will be able to enjoy an easier and more convenient life," an official said.

So far, the Bridgehead International Innovation Center－the first project in the district－has gained a combined investment of around 1 billion yuan ($142.63 million).

And the total planned construction area will be over 90,000 square meters.

The project adheres to the national development principles of "innovation, coordination, being green, openness and sharing", and draws on the latest designs from abroad, said local officials.

The center will serve as a comprehensive platform with facilities for industrial incubation, commerce, exhibition, catering and residence, the officials added.

According to the construction plan, the center will integrate local culture into the architectural design, showcasing the unique charm of the city.

The designers also plan to utilize new materials and renewable energy such as solar power and temperature differentials to build complexes without carbon emissions. "We will try to make every building an 'urban forest' and create a green ecological space," one of the designer said.

zhanglinwan@chinadaily.com.cn