After the breakneck growth and dramatic urban upheavals of the last few decades, China is now entering a new phase. Today’s projects center on marginal rural and suburban areas like Lishui, Zhejiang Province. This remote mountainous region has become an experiment in design activities for improving living conditions, maximizing agricultural output, and, at the same time, protecting the environment and preserving heritage.

This book explores the transformations underway in Lishui, with a focus on the Prosperous Lishui project developed by the Politecnico di Torino and the South China University of Technology for the international competition Future Shan-shui City: Dwellings in Lishui Mountains. With a rich collection of original essays and urban scenarios, this book combines reflexive knowledge, critical imagination, and design experimentation to provide visions for Chinese suburban development.