"We are expediting the secondary structural work to ensure the project is operational on schedule," said Chief Huo Liang of the Loushan Creative Space project on the morning of May 26. The former Qingdao Soda Ash alkali plant, a site steeped in generational memories, is rapidly shedding its old identity to align with its new role as the launch area for the Jiaozhou Bay Innovation Zone in Qingdao.

Here, the Loushan Creative Space project has topped out its main structure, while Phase I of the iValley-Yuepu Tech Science and Technology Innovation Center in Qingdao is progressing swiftly. These projects are set to become pivotal milestones for the area's development.

A banner celebrating the topping-out ceremony is prominently displayed at the Loushan Creative Space project site. This industrial complex features floor heights of 7.9 meters, with each building equipped with storage spaces and industrial freight elevators. It can accommodate 30 to 50 tech companies for research and production. So far, eight high-tech companies in smart manufacturing and biomedicine, with a combined registered capital of 150 million yuan, have begun establishing operations in the park.

The inaugural project in the launch zone, the preliminary Phase I of the Qingdao iValley-Yuepu Tech Science and Technology Innovation Center, is set to commence operations in April next year. With a unique approach of simultaneous construction and business recruitment, it has already enticed close to 30 companies specializing in artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing to set up shop as an initial influx poised to catalyze the region's shift towards high-end, intelligent industries. Recruitment manager Ji Peng is confident that the Innovation Center will be fully occupied from day one.

The earlier relocation of heavy industrial enterprises such as the alkali plant, paved the way for unlocking urban land resources and enhancing the quality of urban living. The 1.6 square kilometer expanse once occupied by the alkali plant is currently undergoing a strategic transformation, embracing a "South Urban, North Industrial" development approach that introduces new industries characterized by high-tech features, significant added value, and low energy consumption to generate employment opportunities, attract talent, and drive urban growth through innovative industrial initiatives.

At the same time, the streets of Xingcheng Road of Licang District, where businesses that once thrived in the area before being relocated elsewhere, are being actively engaged in notable development to attract these businesses back with the allure of a new business district and promising opportunities—a growth not just through the revival of traditional industries but rather a rekindling of partnerships after both parties have undergone transformations and upgrades.