The proposal by China Academy of Urban Planning and Design and Space Syntax would change CBD's skyline with design of new landmarks, including one called the "Tower of Life". The plan also projects building an 8-hectare central park and office buildings tailor-made for small and medium-sized businesses.

To minimize impacts from additional traffic, the plan suggests adding three subway stations - a branch to Line 7, a line to link the airport and an extension from Line 1.

China Academy of Urban Planning and Design is one of the top design companies in China, while Space Syntax is based in London.　　

The plan by Guangzhou City Planning and Design Institute focuses on the pressing challenge of traffic congestion. Its solution is to build underground, surface and elevated traffic facilities - an idea borrowed from the city of Guangzhou.

The plan's designers estimate 70 percent of people in the new CBD can arrive and leave by public transport with the completion of the facilities.

Guangzhou City Planning and Design Institute is famous for its design for the Guangdong Olympic Center.

The design by Foster &Partners proposes development of zones differentiated by function. The area surrounding the new CCTV headquarters and the People's Daily Newspaper Group would highlight information services, while Chaoyang Road would be the shopping hub, the residential quarters would be in the southeastern sector and a green belt from the north to south would be built near the East Fourth Ring Road.

Sustainable development is another concern of the plan, demonstrated in the layout of buildings. It envisions building that will drop in height from north to south to utilize natural ventilation and light, meeting the CBD's demand for a low-carbon and energy-saving development.

A famed architectural firm from Britain, Foster contributed to the design of Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport, designed the new Bundestag building in Germany and HSBC headquarters in Hong Kong and London.