The administrative committee of Guangzhou Tianhe Central Business District (CBD), one of the top three CBDs in China, is courting the world's top-class planning consultancies with a hefty budget to give the CBD a facelift.

Setting aside a budget of 10.4 million yuan ($1.51 million), the CBD administrative committee is looking for the future blueprint of the 20-square-kilometer area to become "a CBD in the park".

The Canton Tower provides the panoramic views of the Guangzhou Tianhe Central Business District. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

According to the bidding process, any successful bidder will be responsible for the district's design, facelift tactics as well as implementation, and planning solutions. The areas of particular focus include more green spaces, improving the traffic network, rebranding, cultural centers, better public services including smart management, as well as strategies for international cooperation and investment promotion.

The deadline for interested agencies to respond is set for April 25.

"As one of the top three CBDs in China, Tianhe CBD still has much room for improvement, either in soft or hard aspects, to be on a par with a world-class CBD," said Huang Deshu, deputy director-general of the administrative committee.

In his eyes, Tianhe CBD needs to improve the accessibility of its public spaces, traffic convenience, scenery and environment as well as compound functions to come up to the standard of the world's top CBDs such as Manhattan in New York or the Square Mile in London.

Qiu Weiqing, director-general of the administrative committee, highlighted the solution to traffic convenience in his remarks on the overall facelift.

"Of all the projects concerned, the solution to traffic congestion is prioritized," Qiu said. "The winner of the bid needs to advise us on how to modify the present road network and minimize traffic jams."

The official said planning for better accessibility of underground spaces including optimized walking and riding routes and for charging piles will also be covered.

Tianhe CBD has three mega underground spaces, not to mention a large number of spaces under its skyscrapers as well as high-rise residential buildings, leaving much space to be developed for parking as well as for business outlets.

"With the world's advanced planning ideas, we aim to make Tianhe CBD more convenient, dynamic and amazing, but with the least disturbance by avoiding massive demolitions or construction," Qiu said.

The administrative committee will also seek public advice, design works and creative ideas globally to the same end.

Being the financial and headquarters center of Guangzhou, Tianhe CBD is home to 140 Fortune Global 500 companies that have launched 184 investment projects there. It is also home to headquarters of over 100 companies.

Canton Place is popular among expats in Guangzhou, for its good food and fashion brands. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The CBD realized GDP of 270 billion yuan in 2016, up 9 percent from a year ago, official statistics indicate.