THE U.N.-Habitat and the Singapore Center for Liveable Cities (CLC) will make their debut at the 10th Shenzhen & Hong Kong  Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture (UABB), according to a press conference held by the Shenzhen government at the Civic Center in Futian District yesterday.

The UABB will raise its curtain at the main venue of Shenzhen Talent Park in Nanshan District on Jan. 30, as per the press conference.

A parallel exhibition will open to the public at the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone tomorrow.

Marking the 20th year of UABB, this year’s edition is themed on “Urban Theater,” with the main venue featuring 10 large-scale outdoor installations that trace the event’s two-decade history reflecting China’s urbanization.

“This edition focuses on the power of theater, not only as drama, but also as a form of public space carrying a festive atmosphere and vitality,” said chief curator Zhu Tao at the press conference.

The parallel venue at Hetao is organized into eight major sections with two special units, bringing together leading thinkers, architects, artists, and scientists worldwide to discuss the future.

Beyond the main and parallel venues, six additional subvenues in Futian, Luohu, Nanshan, Yantian, Longgang, and Pingshan will each host satellite exhibitions.  A series of lectures and salons will advance the event’s core topics.

Also during the event, the Shenzhen Urban Index (UIS) framework will be launched.

Founded in 2005, the event is billed as the world’s first international biennale dedicated to “the city and urbanization.” It has displayed more than 2,400 works and hosted over 1,400 activities to date, attracting more than 2.34 million visitors.        (Wei Jie)