The spectacular story of Shenzhen is well known: a collection of rural villages became a new town in 1979 when the central Chinese government gave it the status of Special Economic Zone. Shenzhen turned into a metropolis and became a prototype for both economic and urban reform within China. Local makers and technological entrepreneurs gained access to the world’s leading hardware prototyping culture whilst challenging western misconceptions. Tonight will explore Shenzhen once again, examining why it has evolved so rapidly and how rapid urbanisation fostered a unique manufacturing eco-system. We will watch Wired's documentary Shenzhen: The Silicon Valley of hardware. Afterwards Linda Vlassenrood will comment and link it to her recent book "Shenzhen: from factory of the world to world city".