Hexie City is a demonstration project within the Binhai New Area outside Tianjin to create a high density compact transit-oriented development that meets China’s strict solar codes. It is in contrast to the ubiquitous pattern of freestanding highrise slab blocks set in a giant superblock. The project was promoted by the Binhai Director Mr Bin Ho, a former UC Berkeley graduate student who had been taught by Daniel Solomon and who wanted to demonstrate how compact small block New Urbanism could be applied in China.

Phase I is the Master Plan for 130 hectares. It includes 12,500 housing units integrated with regional transit, a park system, retail, schools and neighborhood centers.

Phase II is detailed design for an 11.1 hectare Demonstration Neighborhood of 1,690 housing units, neighborhood parks and retail. Block and building plans show that richly varied urban spaces can be achieved with a high degree of standardization and universal solar access