Softer flowing forms and gentle curves reflect the natural movement of water. PWL Partnership
Landscapes Paysages
By Chris Sterry + Ann Jackson, Published Fall 2011, Vol. 13, No. 4
With the diversity of landscapes across the world, it is no surprise that many landscape architects are excited at the prospect of working on projects outside their home countries - especially when the potential client is in the midst of a major transformation of its urban waterfront. So it was for the design team at PWL Partnership Landscape Architects, when in 2003, the northeast Chinese city of Tianjin invited us to prepare designs for a three kilometre-long section of the Haihe riverfront park.
For the last decade, Tianjin has set out to transform approximately 12.6 kilometres of urban land along the banks of the Haihe River; by 2003, the renovation project was already advanced. Ultimately, the city intended to improve flood defences, build new riverside roads, landmark bridges and parks, and redevelop land parcels along the corridor. Many well-known Asian, North American and European design firms were involved in the process.
Defining a River
Our three km project was not large by Chinese standards, but it was certainly significant in North American terms. We had been given the opportunity to define the character of an important urban riverfront. This challenge, together with the complexities of integrating the waterfront with the adjoining city, would make this a fascinating exercise in design and intercultural collaboration. Working in partnership with MCMChina, a Beijing-based representative office, PWL would prepare the conceptual and design development drawings, and later provide construction drawings in partnership with a Chinese landscape design institute.
A Nuanced History
Many people outside of Asia are unfamiliar with Tianjin, even though it is one of the only for Chinese cities that are direct-controlled municipalities. (Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing are better known.) Tianjin is a major port city of over 100 million people. As the most important commercial and industrial centre in eastern China, it is the main departure point for goods leaving the country.
Tianjin and the Haihe River have fascinating and nuanced histories. As a result of relatively recent colonial occupation, the city's built form exhibits a strong European influence. From 1860 until as recently as 1945, the city was a treaty port, divided into as many as nine colonial concessions that included British, German, Russian, Italian, American and French interests. The section of riverfront under redevelopment was originally part of the German quarter. Nonetheless, early visits to the site were not inspiring. Like many North American cities, Tianjin had neglected its riverfront. The river, still a heavily-used commercial shipping route, was noticeably polluted. Despite this, residents were using the river for casual recreation, fishing and swimming.
We knew the riverfront would continue to be used intensively. In Chinese cities, open spaces of all types are heavily frequented by children, adults and the elderly alike. In some locations, the close relationship of older neighbourhoods to the river was still very evident. In other areas, where the city and the river were completely disconnected, we needed to forge new links with adjoining neighbourhoods.
A River in China
As with many rivers in China, the Haihe River is a channelized river with water levels controlled by weirs. Within the city, the river is lined by vertical walls or sloping stone embankments, all of which were to be completely replaced. The need for continuous retaining walls reinforced the linear nature of the riverfront site, which averaged just 25 metres wide on both sides of the river. To avoid a repetitious and monotonous design solution, the team adopted a curving plan that introduced softer, flowing forms within the narrow site. These gentle curves, reflective of the natural movement of water, created a more spacious and informal atmosphere.
Promontories and Platforms
The narrow width of the park, which varied from only 15 to 30 meters, became the primary design challenge. The new shoreline needed to accommodate a continuous platform at an elevation of 4 meters above water level to provide flood protection. In many cases, this upper platform was higher than the adjoining streets and properties that flanked the riverfront, creating challenges for accessibility and views. To provide a more direct connection to the river, we created platforms and terraced areas just above water level.
For the city's large numbers of cyclists and pedestrians, a broad, multi-use "parkway" path was essential. It was primarily located along the upper platform where views of the river are best. The design team also added a more casual intermittent route as a middle elevation. This not only provided additional spaces for other uses, but also minimized the scale of the retaining walls needed to form the site.
The platforms proved to be very popular with local fisherman and swimmers. Despite its apparent pollution, the Haihe River still supports a myriad of small river fish. Some swimmers combine both activities, catching fish by swimming with nets. Areas of terracing that provide direct access to the river edge also attracted commercial fishermen selling fish from pans and buckets.
Enduring Forms
Since excessively varied detailing is a common problem in modern Chinese landscapes, the designers focused on a restrained and continuous pattern of forms and patterns, using locally-available materials worked by capable craftspeople. To suggest the district's colonial history, retaining walls of poured concrete incorporated stone-facing on plinths, columns and cap stones. For the paving, honed and flamed Chinese granite was mixed with the beautiful grey clay bricks, placed on edge, which are typical of traditional Chinese detailing.
For the most part, the design was implemented faithfully by our Chinese partners. The planting was perhaps the least successful, with many substitutions and design changes made in the field. Until recently, the variety of plant materials commercially available in northern China has been limited, and planting design has been somewhat rudimentary. Although this project marked an improvement, much of the approach to planting was lost.
Nevertheless, Tianjin's Haihe River waterfront project showcases the creative potential of cross-cultural landscape design and has become an iconic feature of this ever-adapting city.