Colorado, United States, 4th Feb 2025 – On the afternoon of January 19, 2025, the Digital City Promotion Conference and Digital Economy Research Event was held in Dongfang. The event attracted over sixty representatives from more than ten countries and regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Vietnam, and Hong Kong SAR.
The conference was organized by the Architectural Association School of London (AA), hosted by the institute of Future Habitat Habitats at Shenzhen International Graduate School of Tsinghua University, co-organized by Nexus Starlink International Co., and supported by the municipal government of Dongfang in Hainan Province. The conference centered around the theme of “Gathering in Dongfang, Digital Voyage to Southeast Asia.” During the event, the guests discussed the regional compatibility and cultural exchange between Dongfang and Southeast Asian cities based on the development strategy for “International Digital Cultural Port of Hainan “. They proposed innovative design ideas of digital ecologies to help Dongfang position as one of the leading cities during the next urbanization of Southeast Asia.
The conference originated from the AA Visiting School (AAVS) initiative established by AA. AAVS aims to introduce cutting-edge architectural education concepts to various countries and regions. AA collaborates with local institutions and organizations to host short-term visiting schools globally, focusing on experimental regional issues while fostering innovative design thinking. To date, AA has established the visiting school programs in over 100 cities worldwide, attracting thousands of students. AAVS has consistently prioritized real-world issues, exploring how academic influence can improve society and contribute to the advancement of human capital.
As the closing event of AAVS, the Digital City Promotion Conference in Dongfang started with an opening speech delivered by the leader from the Dongfang Municipal Bureau of Commerce. The city’s digital industry has already achieved initial success, with both industry and investment scales continuing to grow at an annual rate of over 30% in recent years. Dongfang has successfully established a comprehensive digital city industrial chain that encompasses upstream equipment manufacturers, midstream data processing and analysis platforms, and downstream service providers, fostering close connections and collaborative development across the entire supply chain. With its unique geographical location, it has significant advantages in expanding into the Southeast Asian market. Furthermore, the thorough implementation of the Free Trade Port policy, combined with Dongfang’s abundant resource advantages, has provided strong momentum for the robust development of its digital industry.
The academic representative Christopher Pierce, Director of AA Visiting Schools, the industry representative Lin Xiaodan, the Chairman of Xinhui Group, and the founder of NEXUS, Jiang Yuxi, also delivered speeches.
The success of this Promotion Conference in attracting numerous industry elites can be attributed to the solid foundation and extensive influence of the AAVS initiative. This platform has drawn in dozens of top professionals from sectors such as gaming, architecture, and design to converge in Dongfang. To fully leverage this rare opportunity for exchange, the conference meticulously organized two seminars focused on “Empowering the Knowledge Economy with Digital Technology and Academic Thought” and “Facilitating Regional Exchange and Development in China-Southeast Asia through Digital Technology and the Gaming Industry.” The goal was to explore new avenues for digital city construction through in-depth dialogue and intellectual engagement.
The first seminar was hosted by Associate Professor Gao Yan from the institute of Future Habitats at Shenzhen International Graduate School of Tsinghua University. Notable participants included Christopher Pierce, Director of AA Visiting Schools; John Doyle, Associate Dean of the School of Architecture and Urban Design at RMIT; Manny Ling, Associate Dean of the School of Communication Design at RMIT Vietnam; and Joseph Foo, founding partner and Creative Director of 3nity Studio in Malaysia.
The guests engaged in an in-depth discussion about the purpose and significance of the Digital City Promotion Conference and the Digital Economy Research in Dongfang, the third-largest city in Hainan Province.
Following this, the second seminar was initiated by Jiang Yuxi, founder of Nexus Starlink International. The seminar, themed “Empowering China-Southeast Asia Regional Exchange and Development through Digital Technology and the Gaming Industry,” featured notable speakers including Sami Koskela, former Chief Designer and Product Manager at Nexus Infinite Intelligence Hardware and Software; Ken Wong, the lead designer of the game *Monument Valley*; Sky Lo, Assistant Professor at the School of Design at Hong Kong Polytechnic University; and Walaiporn Nakapan, a faculty member in the Department of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.
The guests shared their experiences working with Southeast Asian markets, drawing on their professional backgrounds and field research in Dongfang. The conversation also explored potential collaboration opportunities between China and Southeast Asia from various perspectives along the gaming industry’s value chain, including technology, research and development, production, and distribution.
At the conference, the learning outcomes of the AAVS were showcased, featuring a total of eight design projects that spanned various disciplines, including architecture, urban design, and game design.
During the 10-day visiting school program, scholars and experts conducted field research in Dongfang. They visited sites such as the Datian Deer Conservation Area, the Black-faced Spoonbill Conservation Area, and Baicha Village, the best-preserved ancient village of the Li ethnic group. Additionally, during a visit to the Dongfang Municipal Bureau of Natural Resources and Planning, Chief Engineer Sun Yunzhi provided a personal briefing on the current status and future plans for Dongfang. This was followed by in-depth discussions on industry ecosystem planning and potential applications for a digital city, further enhancing their understanding of the city’s development.
During the instructional phase, the scholars, guided by mentors from Tsinghua University, AAVS, and external experts, thoroughly explored various technological tools, including AI, digital engines, and interdisciplinary digital design techniques. They actively examined the regional compatibility and cultural connectivity between Dongfang and Southeast Asian cities, aiming to integrate the unique characteristics of Dongfang with modern design concepts and digital technologies. Their goal was to develop innovative yet practical design solutions for implementation.
These design proposals, which integrated the urban and ethnic characteristics of Dongfang, captivated the attention of many guests during the promotion conference.
Through rigorous design research and extensive interdisciplinary collaboration, this event has laid a strong theoretical foundation and fostered public participation for the Digital New Port strategy. Additionally, it introduced cutting-edge international architectural concepts and innovative design strategies, proposing a series of creative solutions for key areas such as urban planning, ecological protection, and cultural heritage in Dongfang. These solutions not only enhance the cultural depth and innovative vitality of Dongfang but also provide robust support for the coordinated development of the city’s economy, culture, and ecology.
It is anticipated that this international academic collaboration will attract more long-term and fruitful cooperation opportunities for Dongfang, promoting the comprehensive prosperity of the regional economy and culture. This will further strengthen Dongfang’s influence in Southeast Asia and help establish a clearer positioning for the city in regional cooperation and global competition.
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