Article by Rose Buchanan We take a closer look at 10 projects that show how Turenscape is Leading the way in ecological design. The name Turenscape is derived from two Chinese words: “Tu” (meaning “land”) and “Ren” (meaning “people”), combined with the English word “scape” to create a word that indicates the harmony between land and people. It is this philosophy that drives the creativity behind the multidisciplinary firm and allows them to create landscapes that are both ecologically ground-breaking and culturally significant. Turenscape is undoubtedly a favourite of Landscape Architects Network and so we thought it fitting to feature 10 of their ecologically powerful projects.
Turenscape is Leading the Way
1. Floating Gardens at the Yonging River Park, Taizhou Turenscape approached the design of this riverside park through the use of two layers: a restored “natural” matrix and a new network of paths, forming a “human” matrix. The natural matrix involved removing the concrete embankment of the river and providing a more ecological approach to flood control and stormwater management through the use of riparian wetland along the flood plain and a marshy wetland which runs parallel to the river. They then overlaid a “floating” human garden which allows access for tourists and locals and provides urban connections between the river and the city.
Lush vegetative planting at the Floating Gardens; credit: shutterstock.com
The Red Ribbon is one of Turenscape’s most well-known projects through its dramatic use of a single curvilinear element that combines seating, lighting, and walkway. This element allows visitors to access the 20-hectare park without impacting the natural vegetation and riverine system. The project is also a good example of ecological infrastructure as processes such as stormwater management, biodiversity, and green networks are woven into the design.
The Red Ribbon Park. Credit: Turenscape
This park shows Turenscape’s unique approach to public space by combining agriculture with an urban waterfront park. The park creates a place for people to gather, exercise, and recreate while providing space for productive urban farming. Combined with this was the need to preserve the natural topography of red sandstone hills and to ensure that the flood plain was maintained. The result is a multi-layered park consisting of boardwalk structures and pavilions which bring people in contact with an ever-changing landscape of rotating crops and geological features.
Quzhou Luming Park. Photos courtesy of Turenscape.
Neglected and polluted by garbage and sewage, the Qian’an Sanlihe Greenway was not a pleasant place for residents. Turenscape transformed this landscape into a green pedestrian and cycle route by managing the pollution and cleaning the site. The concrete channel of the river was removed and in its place, a beautiful wetland system was creates with an elegant tree island. Elements of art create interest and boardwalks allow for connectivity while preserving the ecological systems.
Qian’an Sanlihe Greenway. Photo courtesy of Turenscape
Qunli Stormwater Park. Photo credit: Turenscape
The Qunli wetland is surrounded on all four sides by roads and development, resulting in pollution from stormwater run-off. This was solved by Turenscape’s clever design whereby the inner core of the park was left untouched and a wetland perimeter of ponds and mounds clean the stormwater. Overlaid onto this was a network of paths which invite people into the park and an elevated skywalk with viewing platforms that gives users a view of the core without disturbing the wetland habitat.
6. Yanweizhou Park, Jinhua City Yanweizhou Park occurs at the confluence of three rivers: Yiwe, Wuyi and Wujiang, providing an extremely ecologically sensitive approach to the design. Combined with this was the need to provide a physical connection which Turenscape beautifully executed through the design of the 764 Bayong pedestrian bridge. This allowed them to restore the ecosystem wetland and allows the park to become flooded without inhibiting access for visitors.
“40,000 visitors each day”. Credit: Turenscape
This 11-hectare site was home to a disused shipyard located between the Qijiang River and the city. The design thus called for a link between natural and man-made spaces by bringing water into the park and creating a green public space. The existing infrastructure of the shipyard was used within the design and a clever network of bridges at various levels accommodates the fluctuating water levels.
Rich planting makes for an idyllic and peaceful setting. Credit: Turenscape
Turenscape approached this project by embracing the “messiness” of nature while transforming a previously flat shooting range and slum into a sculptural public space. Here they created ponds and wetlands to clean water and create natural habitats while a network of pathways weave in between the vegetation patches. In places, timber platforms jut out into the wetlands, allowing visitors to experience and connect with nature.
Qiaoyuan Wetland Park
Previously polluted and prone to flooding, this site was a negative aspect of the city until Turenscape’s intervention. Their design turned a brownfield industrial site into a beautiful, safe place for visitors which cleans water and prevents flooding of the river. Using the strategy of a mile-long wetland system, Turenscape created a functional park which has become a valuable recreational and economic asset for Shanghai.
Shanghai Houtan Park, Turenscape
Here Turenscape transformed a deteriorated peri-urban site into a regenerative and ecological park. They achieved this by integrating the existing streams, wetlands and low-lying lands into a stormwater management and purification system, forming a series of wetlands and retention ponds that clean the water. Combined with this was a network of continuous public spaces and an iconic rainbow bridge which allows visitors to access the central wetland.
Liupanshui Minghu Wetland Park, Liupanshui, Guizhou Province, China – Turenscape
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Article by Rose Buchanan
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