Like Cvornyek, many in the sector have spoken highly of Shanghai's favorable business environment.
"In my opinion, Shanghai is a city with the best business environment," said Bai Rui, vice-president and general manager of Northern and Eastern China at AECOM.
The United States infrastructure consulting firm started its business in China some 40 years ago. Its Shanghai office now acts as its regional management center. AECOM has completed a host of projects aimed at improving Shanghai's environment and public spaces, such as areas along the Huangpu River, Binjiang Forest Park and Biyun Green Wedge, said Lee Parks, director of landscape at AECOM.
According to Bai, the Shanghai government provides favorable policies for foreign businesses.
Stable policies and transparent processes are of great importance for companies in design and relevant industries which have comparatively high requirements for compliance, Bai said. Shanghai, as the financial and commercial hub of China, has kept accelerating its business reforms and improving its business environment.
As a whole, thanks to years' of efforts, China moved from 78th place to 31st in the World Bank's "Ease of Doing Business" rankings last year.
Also last year, Shanghai released its first regional regulation of the National Foreign Investment Law, which further broadens market access for companies, and better protects their legitimate rights and interests.
With the city's supportive policies, favorable environment and broader market, foreign companies are expressing their confidence in the future of Shanghai, and are keen to become more involved with its development initiatives.
"The layout of Shanghai is diversified and balanced, which means each district in the city has its own commercial center with a series of recreational facilities. This meets the different needs of residents and makes life more livable," Bai said, noting that AECOM is actively seeking opportunities to cooperate in the city's urban development.
The approach that the Shanghai government is taking with its urban development is one that places people at the very center, a concept that sits in line with that of B+H.
"The human element speaks to our belief that no matter the size or scale of the design, it's about how people will interact with a space and how that space will encourage people to interact with one another," Cvornyek said.
Cultural heritage protection also plays an important part in achieving the city's inclusive and sustainable development, and has been stressed by the Shanghai government. For instance, in the construction of the large-scale mixed-use development HKRI Taikoo Hui, a historical building has been preserved.
At the original site of the project, the historical Minli Middle School, dating back to 1920s, was located. To protect this historical legacy, the 3,300-metric-ton building was hydraulically jacked up and slid along a pre-laid track that runs across a distance of 57 meters. The building was eventually moved to its current location in 13 days, and created a monumental achievement in historical building preservation.
AECOM's multidisciplinary team provided full structural engineering consultancy services in conjunction with creating a unique landscape design for the development.
Drawing inspiration from traditional Shikumen elements and integrating Shanghai's Eastern-Western cultural heritage, HKRI Taikoo Hui is a sustainable landscape design that integrates with the overall architectural style.
With the ingenious landscaping of trees, flowers, water features and sculptures, the area has become a spiritual retreat that promotes a holistic balance of work and leisure in the crowded city.
As China makes the green commitment to hit peak emissions before 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2060, there are great opportunities for urban planners to serve the needs of the market through the renovation of existing buildings.
Through retrofitting old buildings with high-performance and energy efficient systems, B+H said it is helping clients to reduce energy consumption and pollution.
The city is accelerating its pace in "building itself into a socialist modern metropolis that enjoys international prestige". And it is strengthening efforts to explore more innovative ways in establishing a "city of the future", Li said when the government signed a cooperation framework agreement on urban development with real estate developer Vanke.
Li said the city welcomes more enterprises to seize development opportunities, give play to their advantages, increase investment in Shanghai and become more involved with the city's business initiatives.
"By providing the most cutting-edge, creative insights and solutions, we will further explore the innovative development of the city, and further shape the future urban landscape of Shanghai," Li said.
Shanghai will continue to improve its business environment, and provide quality services to support companies' further growth in the city, Li said.