The book takes as its starting point the city of Canton, at the heart of the most populous built-up metropolitan area in Mainland China, and a city that has for several centuries held a central position with regard to economic, social, and physical change in the country.

Included are hundreds of beautiful illustrations and drawings that help articulate Smith's historical insight into key events surrounding the development of Canton, from its preliminary trading and treaty port history, to its Republican city building program, the Socialist planned economy after 1949, the post-1978 reform period, and the regenerative impetus of the contemporary city.

Shaping Canton focuses on the modern history of Canton. The text and illustrations explore and set out the various stages and events leading up to the modern city, by way of a reinvigorated Chinese superpower, from the founding of trade between Europe and the East in the late 15th century, to the beachheads of foreign influence, and forces of transformation through periods of revolution, political transition, and reform up to the present time.