Situated on a series of peninsulas stretching into the sea, Dalian is known for its scenic oceanfront setting of steep cliffs, hidden coves, and secluded beaches. It is also a growing city, quickly becoming a center for technology and multinational business in northeastern China. To accommodate this growth, new communities and urban districts are being built throughout Dalian, many of which lack contextual reference to the city's unique coastal setting and are often devoid of any regional identity. Working with a partnership between a national and a local developer, Sasaki set out to create a community that would transcend the boundaries of the typical development model of gated compounds currently seen throughout the city's new districts. The Sasaki master plan for the 200-hectare site of the Hongxing Oceanfront Community embodies the spirit of the unique Dalian landscape, while creating a mixed-use district that provides an alternative to the placeless design of many other new communities throughout the city.