By Xinyi Li, EDITOR
Chongqing, known as the “Mountain City”, is also famous as the “River City”. The Yangtze River and the Jialing River flow together in the main urban area. Meanwhile, the waterfront area is also an important urban landscape belt. Chongqing launched the global solicitation for the design of “Two Rivers and Four Riversides”. In addition, 91 well-known design agencies and unions registered for it.
On October 18, Chongqing issued the Prequalification Notice of International Solicitation for Conceptual Design of Governance and Improvement of “Two Rivers and Four Riversides” in Chongqing’s Main Urban Area on China’s leading bidding platform. The totaled 91 applicants are famous design organizations and unions. They come from 20 countries and regions, such as the USA, the UK, Germany, Netherlands, South Korea, and Canada. The Chongqing Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development organized a three-day on-site exchange meeting from November 20 to 22, to collect the scheme. A number of internationally known masters in design met in Chongqing.
Dong Mengneng is the Head of Design Division of Chongqing Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. He indicated the governance and improvement of “Two Rivers and Four Riversides” cover about 180-kilometer centerline, as well as a total of about 394-kilometer shoreline (including 30 kilometers in Jiangjin District). This project aims to build “Eco-Zone with Picturesque Scenery”, “Landscape Zone of Three-Dimensional City”, “Convenient and Sharing Recreation Belt”, and “Characteristic Area for Humanistic and Cultural Landscape”.
During the meeting, leaders and experts from municipal departments conducted seminars. Additionally, the seminar focuses on regions of planning, hydrologic development, cultural tourism, channels & wharves, landscaping, and so on.
Moreover, after the on-the-spot meeting, the shortlisted design agencies (unions) will commence the conceptual design. It indicates that the international solicitation for Chongqing’s “Two Rivers and Four Riversides” has entered into the design stage. The creations will wrap up in January next year. In the meantime, the notice will be unveiled to the public after the expert review.
Zhang Tao, Director of the America-based Sasaki Associates
It is the second time for Zhang Tao to visit Chongqing, and this three-dimensional mountain city deeply impresses him. Differing from other cities, Chongqing’s stereoscopic impression is particularly magical. “Two Rivers and Four Riversides” is an interesting space, but it is not sufficient in some aspects. The riverside region, as a pluralistic active space, should possess diversified functions and forms. Other than landscapes, the focus should also be put on the interactivity. Since a number of cities take on the same look nowadays, Chongqing should fully excavate its unique natural geographical resources. This will manifest its diversification, inclusiveness, openness and wild nature. As there is no great international method to learn from, it must create its own distinctive features.
There are some problems that need to be improved in Chongqing’s “Two Rivers and Four Riversides”. For instance, caused by the periodic water storage of Three Gorges Project, the large height difference of “hydro-fluctuation belt” is a puzzle for landscape design. The key thing to note is the reconstruction of the ecological environment, public space and cultural system.
Chen Yuezhong, Chef Designer of Ecoland Planning and Design Corp.
Taking ecological environment as an example, it is a huge challenge to solve the landscape of “hydro-fluctuation belt”. Tree-planting is not enough in the region along the Yangtze River. Residents here should have their own living space. Besides, public space needs to be developed into waterfront space with accessibility, participation, and comfort, to benefit the public. In terms of the cultural system, since Chongqing is rich in cultural background, it should highlight its unique culture.
The difficulty confronting those designers is how to combine the new design concept of “Two Rivers and Four Riversides” with the urban landscape in existence. It is hard to find such a particular city which boasts rare natural and human resources along the Yangtze River and the Jialing River. He is very excited and interested in those historical cultural relics and remains in Chongqing’s “Two Rivers and Four Riversides”.
Craig Kiner, Director of British Zaha Hadid Architects
There are not only numerous exposed piers of the viaduct but also a lot of old houses in this long and narrow waterfront area. Except for a lack of the accessibility between people and waterfront, the transportation of riverside areas still need development. Chongqing’s waterfront is almost blocked by the main road. Therefore, the public cannot completely reach the space as well as the water. This is the common status quo of Chongqing’s “Two Rivers and Four Riversides”.
David Thompson, Design Director and Chief Designer of the America-based SWA
Thus, increasing the connectivity and accessibility of waterfront is the important part for improvement for the public to enjoy the water in a more convenient way. The footpath should be established according to different conditions. The footpath crossing the street, for example, should play a role in connecting the two sides of the road together organically. For the integration between design and landscapes, the “curved bridge” can locate in the key area, thus to generate a crucial passage with interesting and special landscapes.
Source: CQCB
By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You can change your cookie settings through your browser.
For any inquiries, please email service@ichongqing.info