Guangzhou Knowledge City (GKC) is the third collaborative project between the Chinese and Singapore governments, after Suzhou Industrial Park and Tianjin Eco-City. Located at the northeast of Guangzhou City, GKC lies at the centre of the Pearl River Delta Region and is positioned as a catalyst for the economic transformation of Guangdong, by way of developing and accelerating the city’s knowledge-based industries.

Sitting at the heart of GKC is a district known as The Core. Here, its contents and anchoring themes were informed by the evolving drivers and demands of modern life; namely, the need to improve communication and information technology; the need to discuss and debate; the need for innovation of modern devices; and the need for a balanced lifestyle and environment sustainability. Out of this, five theme districts are formulated: the Knowledge Isle, the Centre of Communications, The Forum, the Centre of Product Innovation and Wellness City.

These districts are interwoven together by a Garden by the Lake concept, which features an 80-metre-wide green belt. Encircling The Core, it acts as both a green buffer and a place for recreation and leisure, free of vehicular traffic. An all-weather covered pedestrian-friendly promenade strings the different parcels together by way of public bridges that extend along the waterfront, presenting inhabitants with a 360-degree experience of the city.