Shenzhen Accelerates Development of Low-Altitude Economy with Ambitious Infrastructure Plans

Source: Southcn.com

Shenzhen is rapidly advancing towards becoming the "Leading City in Low-Altitude Economy." On November 5, the city held a launch meeting for the high-quality construction of low-altitude economic infrastructure, announcing plans to establish the world's first comprehensive low-altitude economic infrastructure system. From now until 2026, Shenzhen aims to increase its low-altitude takeoff and landing facilities from 249 to over 1,200. Additionally, the construction of low-altitude communication infrastructure will accelerate with the addition of more than 8,000 new 5G-A base stations. The city is also expediting the development of its low-altitude technology infrastructure, with plans to release version 1.0 of the Smart Integrated Lower Airspace System (SILAS) by the end of November, signaling a strong commitment to enhancing low-altitude infrastructure.

Infrastructure Development Goals

Shenzhen is focused on creating a well-structured network of low-altitude takeoff and landing facilities. The Development and Reform Commission of Shenzhen Municipality has released the "High-Quality Construction Plan for Low-Altitude Infrastructure (2024-2026)." By 2026, Shenzhen anticipates completing over 1,200 takeoff and landing points that will support four key sectors: manned flights, logistics transportation, community delivery, and urban governance services.

Currently, Shenzhen has established 249 various low-altitude facilities, leading the nation in scale. Specific targets include increasing helicopter/eVTOL landing sites from 109 to 174, drone logistics landing points from 46 to 161, drone delivery points from 74 to 391, and urban governance landing points from 20 to 592.

To meet the demand for large-scale commercial operations, Transport Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality has outlined a three-phase plan: by the end of this year, it aims to complete an additional 147 takeoff and landing facilities; in 2025, another 658 facilities; and in 2026, a final push for an additional 513 facilities.

Support Mechanisms

Shenzhen plans to optimize spatial assurance mechanisms and broaden funding channels while enhancing construction capabilities. The city will work closely with planning authorities to develop a tiered layout system for low-altitude takeoff and landing facilities. 

This includes improving land use classifications for construction and encouraging the integration of landing facilities in hospitals, sports venues, parks, and transport hubs.

Funding will be sourced flexibly through various means such as government bonds and special funds across districts and departments.

New Information Infrastructure

Shenzhen is also accelerating the establishment of a new integrated information infrastructure system that encompasses both airspace and ground networks. Key features include:

1. Extensive Signal Coverage: The city is developing a comprehensive safety network for low-altitude operations with over 80,000 5G base stations providing continuous coverage below 120 meters.
2. Large Network Scale: Shenzhen is building the largest and most diverse trial network for 5G-A technology in China, deploying advanced sensing equipment across various regions to validate typical low-altitude scenarios.
3. System Integration: As the first city in China to fully integrate data from three major operators into its regulatory platform, Shenzhen can monitor real-time flight data through SILAS.

Over the next three years, Shenzhen plans to add more than 8,000 new 5G-A base stations and establish a comprehensive network that integrates "5G + millimeter wave + satellite" technologies to support innovative applications within the low-altitude economy.

Advancements in Low-Altitude Technology

The city is rapidly advancing its full-area Smart Integrated Lower Airspace System (SILAS), which is expected to be released by late November 2024. This system will facilitate safe and efficient operations in the low-altitude economy by integrating core urban data related to building models, municipal facilities, and administrative divisions.

Additionally, Shenzhen is planning to develop a "Wind-Matrix," a three-dimensional wind tunnel specifically designed for low-altitude airspace simulation and testing.

Disclaimer: This document has been translated into English.  If there is any inconsistency or ambiguity between the English version and the Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail. The full text of the measures, in Chinese, can be found below: https://news.southcn.com/node_54a44f01a2/2296672631.shtml