Most discussions of Shenzhen SEZ emphasize the prosperity scenery brought by rapid urbanization. However, this description glosses over the complexity and diversity of an immigrant city. 

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Handshake buildings, so named because one can literally shake hand with a neighbor due to the close proximity of adjacent buildings. These dense and compact mid-rise towers in the midst of newer, taller skyscrapers, are resulted from unregulated development and property rights laws during the city's huge transformation. The handshake buildings provide low-rent housing for the immigrants who are in the initial period of career. 

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To transform the dull, boring and close handshake buildings into interesting housing that will bring various activities and more vitality to the area, the buildings mass of singularity is being processed by removing some of the walls facing the slits and add steel frame to create transparent and soft intermediary space. Privacy of the rental housing is protected by layering. More natural light and ventilation can come in. Little stores, cafes would be able to grow along the facade or even to the roof. There will be more public space for hanging around, wandering, meeting people, shopping, etc.