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May 1, 2010

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High-tech giant picks a greener future for its workers in new Zizhu Park

AN outdoor football pitch, professional fitness center, medical care and entertainment rooms where Xboxes, table tennis and massage chairs are all available for free are features of Microsoft's new science technology park in Shanghai.

This park opened on April 1 and houses more than 1,500 staff members of Microsoft's Asia-Pacific Global Technology Support Center and Research & Development Centers.

It's located in the Zizhu Science-based Industrial Park, and the first stage of investment cost 700 million yuan (US$102 million). In the future, after the entire 960,000 square meters of the technology park is completed, there will be over 7,000 staff working there.

Important role

Zizhu Park is not the only industrial zone of Shanghai, but it could be one of the best. When Microsoft chose it as the location of their new base, it was in appreciation of the advantages of this modern industrial park.

As one of the biggest high-tech industrial zones of Shanghai, Shanghai Zizhu Science-based Industrial Park has been playing an important role in promoting the economic growth of Minhang and the whole of Shanghai. It has been established by different stockholders including Shanghai Zijiang Group, Jiao Tong University and Minhang District Government, attracting enterprises with its advantages in scientific research, human resources and industrial capital.

The first part of the project occupies an area of 13 square kilometers. Its plans took account of Silicon Valley in the United States and it is composed of three parts -- university campuses, research and development centers, and the Pujiang forest peninsula. It aims to create an excellent environment for scientific research, living and investment.

The university campuses are one of the biggest advantages of Zizhu. There are two in Zizhu -- Jiao Tong University and East China Normal University. Both are among the best universities of Shanghai, and provide a pool of excellent human resources to enterprises in Zizhu. Enterprises can get the professionals they need nearby, and graduates will also be happy to work in the same place where they spent their college life.

The good research and investment environment can be another advantage of Zizhu. Its natural environment is quiet and clean. The entire Zizhu Park is a model ecological area, with over 50 percent of green coverage. And since so many high-tech enterprises are there, it's convenient for communication and cooperation among companies. As well, because of support from Minhang government with beneficial policies, enterprises can also greatly reduce their costs.

In addition, Zizhu Park also provides enterprises with various services -- human resources, venture capital, communication and connection, transportation, conferencing and entertainment.

Saving the environment

After it was established in 2002, it attracted hundreds of enterprises, big and small, domestic and foreign, including some giant companies such as Intel, Coca-Cola and now Microsoft.

Microsoft consider its 700 million yuan investment worth it.

"We spent so much on the construction. I think it's mainly because we want a green future," says one Microsoft official. "We've taken a lot of modern technologies of environmental protection and energy saving into our construction, and in the future it will save not only costs, but also the environment."

The green concept has been considered in almost every detail of the construction. All the outer walls are glass curtain walls that reduce solar exposure. The hall of the office building is lit by natural light to save energy. The building is also equipped with the most advanced underground air-supply system which makes all the air-conditioners much more effective than usual.

In addition, they even put their experimental computer room on the top floor, instead of the basement where it generally goes. That takes advantage of modern technology to use the natural wind to help cool down the computers.

With so many advanced technologies in environmental protection, it's no wonder that the construction cost was greater.

The green concept not only exists in the construction, it has also been factored into details of employees' daily life and work, and the enviable entertainment room is one feature of that concept.

In Microsoft, proper entertainment and relaxation are considered important for the innovation of the company.

For those employees involved in scientific research, simply sitting in front of the desk will not help them in their creative thinking, while some relaxation and gaming during working hours can help cultivate the creative impulse.

More "green" details can be found everywhere in the science park. For example, the stairway is in the center of the hall instead of the elevators, which encourages employees to exercise more.


 

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