Kunming, the capital of the Chinese province of Yunnan, is an important bridge between China and the countries of Southeast Asia. Already one of China’s most livable cities, the Kunming Wujiaba New City Center will bring many additional benefits to the city, its people and a growing international community.

SOM’s master plan for the expansive site of Kunming Wujiaba—formerly an airport near the heart of the city—envisions a mixed-use, highly walkable district laced with greenbelts and waterways and centered on a grand central park. From a dense commercial zone to compact, distinctive mixed-use neighborhoods, the new district will include a wide range of cultural, civic, retail, and residential offerings. The master plan incorporates extensive transit connections to the surrounding city and region, prioritizing walking, cycling, and public transportation.

The district will use its extensive network of waterways and greenspace to reduce runoff and clean water naturally, improving the water quality of Kunming’s scenic Dianchi Lake while simultaneously creating a vibrant urban habitat.