Xi'an Yannan Park City Balcony

Project Profile

1. Project Overview

In a densely populated urban setting, this project unveils a rewilded natural area, revitalizing a former concrete waterway through innovative stormwater management. The design introduces a linear activity zone extending over four residential blocks, tailored for diverse social interactions. It underscores the vital role of landscape architecture in enriching the social and ecological aspects of urban living.

2. Project Details

2.1 Challenges and Objectives

Xi'an, a bustling city with 13 million inhabitants, faces unique urban design challenges. The Yannan Park Phase-II, nestled in a densely populated district, is encircled by residential skyscrapers accommodating over 120 million people. The 80-hectare site, previously a construction waste dump, is bordered by a raised highway to the north and a concrete drainage canal to the east, presenting barriers to urban connectivity. The western side, near residential communities, presents an opportunity to merge public activities and social life with the emerging natural environment. The city's temperate climate, with its contrasting seasons, demands innovative solutions for stormwater management and outdoor shading.

The project aims to deliver a recreational haven for local communities, establish a resilient 'green sponge' for urban stormwater regulation, and create a low-maintenance, rewilded urban nature space for enjoyable experiences.

Given the large scale of the site and the short timeline mandated by the local government, several challenges emerge. These include managing the earthwork and topography, transforming the lifeless concrete drainage, and rapidly developing a low-maintenance, extensive park.

2.2 Design Strategy

The design strategy encompasses:

(1) Urban Balcony: A 50-meter-wide balcony stretches over 1500 meters along the western edge, featuring permeable gravel and 20,000 Poga Trees for shade. Amenities include pavilions, playgrounds, and modular, colorful fiberglass seating, encouraging diverse community activities. The balcony serves as a communal living room, hosting a variety of activities from Tai Chi to evening social gatherings.

(2) Ravines and Hills: Utilizing existing debris, the design includes ravines for stormwater channels and hills for sports facilities. A bioswale system alongside the Urban Balcony collects and filters stormwater runoff, leading it to the rewilded drainage. The ravines, enriched by summer stormwater, foster a lush, diverse plant community, guiding visitors from the bustling balcony to the tranquil natural interior and the rewilded waterfront.

(3) Rewilded Drainage: The transformation of the eastern concrete drainage into a vibrant, rewilded waterway with tree islands and native plantings boosts the site's ecological diversity.

(4) Path Network: An intricate path network, raised above ground and weaving through tall grass, offers a nature-immersive experience. The paths, made of prefabricated concrete slates, are designed for efficient installation and aesthetic variation.

(5) Skywalk: Parallel to the Urban Balcony, a skywalk links hilltops and ravines, doubling as a transport route and security measure. It provides unique views of both the urban and natural landscapes.

3. Conclusion

This urban design project is distinguished by its integration of a socially active urban balcony, its role as a stormwater management solution, and its creation of a low-maintenance, rewilded urban nature space, thereby strengthening the city's bond with nature.