REINTERPRETING THE PAST Suzhou is one of the most visited tourist destinations in China, thanks to its well-preserved old town surrounded by canals and the unique urban landscape. The city is also well-known for the magnificent Chinese gardens, most of which are enlisted as UNESCO World Heritage sites as the essence and the traditions of Chinese culture. The thesis work studied initially the main concepts of the Chinese gardens and the current dynamics of urban transformation related with the old town. A new form of urbanization is than proposed that reinterprets historical Suzhou; the masterplan proposes a new urban mixite taking into account the historical context and seeking how to supply the current inhabitants and visitors necessities.