Located in the heart of the 40 million person Pearl River Delta industrial complex that stretches from Hong Kong, Zhuhai/Macau, and Shenzhen in the south to Guangzhou in the north, the city of Xiaolan has recognized its potential to become a vital urban center in maturing economy that is increasingly focused on economic diversification, education, culture, and other quality of life issue that affect the well being of its citizens.

The Revitalization Plan for Xiaolan establishes the new center of the city at the intersection of its historic core and the more modern financial, legislative and industrial centers to its east and south. The plan proposes the revitalization of the two kilometer stretch of the canal that encircles the historic core to its west. Two 'anchor' projects at either end - one centered around and expanding the vibrant market area of the city, and the other a new health, arts, and hospitality center - are connected by strategic infill and historic preservation 'connector' projects that reinforce the fabric of the historic core. At the intersection of these and the roads that connect the old and modern districts of the city is the site selected for the “seed” development that will anchor further redevelopment. The program for this center included a historic village that will provide food and entertainment, a performing arts center, exhibition pavilions, commercial office space, a hotel with conference facilities, and pilot residential projects that demonstrate the possibilities of successful infill using appropriate typologies. The plan also establishes new street connections, infrastructure improvements, and architectural guidelines to ensure physical compatibility between old and new.