Townland Consultants Limited (TCL) were selected to participate in an international competition for the Conceptual Plan of Sijiao Island Town (2,700 ha), Shengshi County, Zhejiang Province, PRC by the Urban Planning Society of China for the Shengshi Construction Bureau of Zhejiang Province. The intention of the Project was to (i) prepare a Comprehensive Conceptual Plan for Sijiao Island Town and (ii) elaborate urban design concepts for four key sites (key intervention areas) located around the Island.

The Comprehensive Conceptual Plan is intended to provide a vision and clear guidance for the growth and development of Sijiao Island up to 2020 and was formulated through an examination of the status of Sijiao Island’s economy, society and environment and its development advantages and constraints up to 2020. TCL assessed the development potential of Sijiao Island taking into account available land resources, the desired character of the Island and forecast population growth up to 2020 and set out a clear and well organized system of land uses (including coastlines) and a set of policies and actions to support the implementation of this system.

The overall development concept focused on the diversification of the economic base of the Island, with particular regard to enhancing the Island's tourism, recreation and industry
potentials. It is envisaged that by 2020, Sijiao Island will have developed into a principal tourism destination in the region, catering to the needs of low, middle and high income tourists alike. Sijiao Island will be well recognised as a recreational playground, providing both lively and dynamic tourism attractions and relaxing tourism attractions based on nature. Typical tourism facilities proposed include exclusive four and five star rated hotels, two and three star hotels, bungalows, cabins and camping areas, international standard golf courses, a major theme park, seafood markets, eco-trails and restaurants, a recreational cable car and extensive water based activities focused on key beaches and other key scenic areas on the Island.

In addition, the Island will be a port and marine products centre in the region and will act as the primary regional export gateway for fisheries related products, through the establishment of a modern marine products processing and export plant.

A comprehensive and multi-modal transportation system was set out for the Island focused on ferry and air transportation for external linkages and upgraded internal road linkages. In addition, a range of major new infrastructure has been proposed in support of the economic and social development goals of the Island.