China’s Open Markets Lead to Success for U.S. Firms
China continues to open itself up to more outside investors, and architecture, design, and engineering firms from the United States are participating in the growth. The trend is due in large part to China’s entry into the World Trade Organization. The Geneva-based WTO makes sure its 130 member countries follow trade agreements and they settle trade disputes when they arise. The organization works to minimize barriers that eliminate foreign competition in order to protect domestic companies. One of the current areas of focus is copyright and trademark infringement and in recent weeks and months new cases have been brought before the Chinese Justice System with several noticeable prosecutions. One factor that makes China a good marketplace for architecture, design, and engineering firms is the high rate of growth, which has proven to be sustainable. The GDP is growing between 7.8 and 9.5 percent per year. China’s political system has been relatively stable and it is predicted that China will grow by at least 8 percent a year for the next two years. We expect China to be a high growth market but also a highly competitive environment to practice in.
University of Hawaii Presents Fifth Annual Asia-Pacific Program
On April 9-11, the University’s School of Architecture will welcome delegates to its Fifth International Symposium on Asia Pacific Architecture. For more information see the University’s Web site:
http://web1.arch.hawaii.edu/
Session Topics Include:
“Social, Cultural and Historical Aspects: Livability in the Asia Pacific Context”
“The Shape of Housing: Form and Density”“The New Technology: Dealing with Large Numbers”
“Sustainability in the Asia Pacific Region”
“The Financial and Institutional Infrastructure of Housing”
“A New Agenda for Asia Pacific Architecture”
Leaders from academia, government and some of the largest and best architectural firms working in the region are slated to attend and lead the six sessions.
Also, the biennial Kenneth F. Brown Asia Pacific Culture and Architecture Design Award is scheduled to be presented.
Sponsors are: the AIA; Architects Regional Council Asia; Asia Pacific Center for Architecture; Design Futures Council; East West Center; City and County of Honolulu; The University of Hawai’i College of Business Administration; and the School of Architecture.
Invited Speakers:
Gregory Burgess
Gregory Clement
Fiske Crowell
James Cramer
Roberto F. de Ocampo
Balkrishna Doshi
Peter Englert
Kenneth Frampton
Richard Green
Jeremy Harris
Kunihiko Hayakawa
Hidetoshi Ohno
James Jonassen
Jim Lynch
William Lim
Christine Loh
Mike Martin
Ki Suh Park
Leonard Parker
Thomas Payette
Jon Pittmen
James Wines
Carolina Woo
Derek Parker
John and Patricia Patkau
Watts Wacker
Daniel Winey
Luo Xiao-wei
Hearst Land Staves Off Development
At one time, developers had eyed the Hearst coastal property that runs along Route 1 with plans including an airport, golf resort, dude ranch and hotels.
But last month, the Hearst Corporation and the American Land Conservancy constructed a deal to preserve 82,000 acres and 18 miles of coastline from such development. Still, the agreement hinges on giving the conservationists a year to determine a fair price and come up with financing, which some say could run from $100 to 150 million.
As late as 1998, the Coastal Commission was approached with plans for a 650-room hotel and dude ranch, which was rejected. February’s deal stipulates no golf course, resort development or riding center. However, development in the San Simeon Village may include an inn that aligns with Julia Morgan’s design of the Hearst Castle and other existing village architecture.
That’ll be Five Pounds, Please
In an effort to cut down on vehicle traffic, smog and make its streets safer for pedestrians, the City of London last month instituted a 5-pound charge on every vehicle that enters the 8-km zone during business hours of 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The ever-present eye of 230 surveillance cameras will enforce the law, which levies an 80-pound charge to offenders who do not purchase the pass. The fee is reduced by half if paid within two weeks. Officials expect the change to reduce traffic by 10 to 15 percent.
The central area affected is bordered by the inner ring road-roughly eight square miles that take up less than 2 percent of the total area of Greater London.
