A blueprint has been drawn up to build a 63-square-kilometer intelligent business district (IBD) in the northeast of Tianhe District over the coming five years. The IBD will have a population of 300,000 and create 100,000 jobs. Moreover, over the next five years, 37 projects involving investments of more than RMB 30 billion will be based in the district. These projects will focus on developing sophisticated technologies relating to the Internet of Things, cloud computing, and integration of cable television, telecommunications and computer networks.

The planned IBD at Tianhe is intended to serve as "a demonstration zone for Intelligent Guangzhou, a trendsetter, and a happy life experience zone". It will consist of "one core, two belts, three parks, and four zones".

According to the project proposal, the IBD will cover an area of 63 square kilometers and be bound by the eco-barrier in northeastern Guangzhou on the south, Guangzhou Avenue on the east, Guangyuan Road on the north, and Daguan Road on the west. It will be located at juncture of the Guangzhou Central Business District, the Science City, and the Guangzhou Ecological Green Belt, and have17 square kilometers of developable land. About half of the site is greenery, hills and water surface, and one third of the land will be devoted to scientific research and education facilities. The IBD's administrative area will comprise part of the Xintang, Fenghuang, Longdong, Changxing and Wushan Streets around the Gaotang New Zone of the Tianhe Software Park.