China builds Xiong'an New Area using underground infrastructure and digital twins
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Chinese authorities are developing the Xiong'an New Area in Hebei province as a model for smart urban governance and sustainable growth.
The project prioritizes infrastructure and ecological restoration before constructing surface buildings to avoid the haphazard expansion seen in other cities. The city uses a network of underground utility tunnels spanning more than 100 kilometers to carry water, electricity, gas, heating, and communications. These tunnels connect parking facilities beneath 95 housing complexes.
To navigate this subsurface network, the city employs a combination of BeiDou satellite navigation and 5G indoor positioning. A digital twin system provides real-time data on temperature, humidity, water pressure, and gas concentrations, allowing workers to receive alerts and address issues directly within the tunnels. Environmental restoration efforts have also transformed the nearby Baiyangdian Lake. Workers used nature-based purification techniques to improve water quality and restore wetlands.
These efforts have successfully stabilized the lake's water quality at Grade III for five consecutive years. The restoration has led to a measurable increase in local wildlife, including a rise in recorded bird species and a recovery of fish populations. At the community level, officials maintain detailed records for more than 3,700 households in the Nanwenying Community. These files contain over 80,000 entries regarding healthcare and elderly care needs.
By organizing this data into specific lists of resources and concerns, the community management streamlines public services for residents.
