Abstract:As a non-statutory plan, in overall urban design, a holistic vertical and intensity control zoning should be proposed to achieve guidance of the built environment through the statutory planning system in China. However, these traditional technical routes usually give priority to economy with consideration to the artistic value, which cannot be applied to all cities. Therefore, a dual-model of vertical and intensity zoning was proposed in the overall urban design of the city of Dali in Yunnan province. The basic vertical zoning is independently derived from artistic principles while the basic intensity zoning independently originates from economic principles. These two zonings are mutually modified to ensure that the vertical height and intensity of each block are matched with each other, through which the economic and artistic principles are both given consideration to.