IDEA: BLUE SKIES, CLEAN WATER AND CULTURAL HERITAGE
Description:
42.1 km of linear parks, waterways and restored ecosystems are being created as the ecological, open space and cultural backbone of the 28km2 Xing Yuan New Town. Linear parks and waterways are being designed to attract life to parks, adjacent land parcels and waterway systems restoring lost hydrological patterns. Three functional zones have been established—ecological, cultural and park. Each serves a role environmentally, recreationally, socially and economically. The parks and waterway system are further defined into some 20 spaces, chapters in a larger story offering a diversity of activity, cultural experiences, landscape typologies, recreational functions, economic, environmental and sustainability benefits. A large navigable waterway links the majority of the new town from east to west while other waterways are shaped to become gentle streams or roaring kayaking trails taking up natural grade while cleansing water. Parks are designed to connect and activate frontages of adjacent commercial, school, and cultural land uses while barrier island parks allow for residential uses to front public parks and waterways maintaining a level of privacy and security.
Credit:
West Design Development and East Schematic Design and Design Development Terrain Studio West Schematic Design SWA Group, Scott Slaney, FASLA, Design Principal, Principal-in-Charge
Role:
Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Document Review and Construction Phase Services
Client:
Hanzhong Cultural Tourism Investment Group Co.
Consultants:
Green Earth Operations – Environmental Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University Design Institute – Hydrology
Stakeholders:
Province of Shaanxi, City of Hanzhong Planning Bureau, City of Hanzhong Transportation, Parks, Utilities, Cultural and Public Works Departments, Regional Water Management, Hydrology and Agricultural Bureaus, ASpace Land Planners, Lingshan Cultural Park Developers and Operators
Date Complete: Ongoing
Area:
Park System Total Area 2172 acres (879 hectares)
Total Land Area 1450 acres (587 hectares)
Total Water Area 722 acres (292 hectares)
Navigable Water Area 494 acres (200 hectares)
Length of Parks and Waterways 26.2 miles (42.1 kilometers)
Sustainability:
Ecosystem Restoration and Creation, Wildlife Habitat Creation, Water Quality, Water Harvesting, Storm Water Management, Productive Landscapes, Responsible Social Transitions, Energy Conservation, Renewable Energy Generation, Multi-modal Transportation, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction, Biological Waste Treatment, Low Impact Development, “Sponge City” Principles, Pollutants Filtration, Waste Recycling and Material Re-use, Porous Surfaces, Heat Island Effect Mitigation, Carbon Sequestration