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The Many Fascinating Water Features of Central Park of Hunnan Axis in China

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The Lahnaue Framework Plan by A24 Landschaft. Photo credit: Hanns Joosten

Central Park of Hunnan Axis, By Niek Roozen Loosvan Vliet,  with: Urhahn Urban Design and Landscape Institute Shenyang, Shenyang, China  China is making huge efforts to improve its relationship with water — our most precious resource. This is due to its historical importance to the country’s development, as we have seen in the article Is China Transforming its Relationship with Water? A Look at the Aiyi River Landscape Park, . In Hunnan Axis Central Park, it is no different – water is beautifully represented throughout the park, sometimes portrayed as calm and serene in the form of ponds, or as vigorous and lively in the form of water jets. The truth is, this dynamic element can create stunning aesthetic results in the urban scene (and even energize wealth luck to the surrounding neighborhoods).

Photo Credit: Central Park at Hunnan Axis by Niek Roozen Loosvan Vliet

Photo Credit: Central Park at Hunnan Axis by Niek Roozen Loosvan Vliet

The Location of Hunnan Axis Hunnan is one of the nine districts of Shenyang, capital of Liaoning province. Its master plan follows an orthogonal network of streets, with its axis running from downtown Shenyang to the airport on a north-south orientation. This privileged location has been enriched with a beautiful public space — Hunnan Axis Central Park, an elegant and inviting open area that gathers the local community together.
Photo Credit: Central Park at Hunnan Axis by Niek Roozen Loosvan Vliet

Photo Credit: Central Park at Hunnan Axis by Niek Roozen Loosvan Vliet

A Park Full of Water Features

Running in line with the Hunnan Axis, this 300-meter-wide, four-kilometer-long park offers an amazing display of various water features, including canals, waterfalls, water jets, and ponds. Covering a total area of 130 hectares, it was designed in 2011. Construction started that same year, reaching its completion in autumn 2013. The context-sensitive approach adopted by the designers is clearly displayed in the water features, which reflect the orthogonal pattern of the district’s master plan. Also, its bold scale emphasizes the strict geometric forms for a big visual impact, which is counterbalanced by the calming effect of water.

Photo Credit: Central Park at Hunnan Axis by Niek Roozen Loosvan Vliet

Photo Credit: Central Park at Hunnan Axis by Niek Roozen Loosvan Vliet

The Designers of Central Park at Hunnan Axis  Hired by the city of Shenyang, NRLVV (Niek Roozen Loosvan Vliet) was responsible for the project, in collaboration with Urhahn Urban Design and Landscape Institute Shenyang. NRLVV is a China-based landscape architecture and urban planning firm with an interdisciplinary approach. The working team includes landscape architects, architects, urban planners, civil engineers, industrial designers, interior architects, and plant specialists who also work in collaboration with infrastructure specialists, plan economists, project managers, and legal experts.
Photo Credit: Central Park at Hunnan Axis by Niek Roozen Loosvan Vliet

Photo Credit: Central Park at Hunnan Axis by Niek Roozen Loosvan Vliet

North-south A noticeable theme emerges as you go through the park – in the northern area, vegetation and hills are predominant, while to the south, water takes over the scenery. A stream flows gently from the north, where slopes and dense vegetation are alternated with open lawn spaces. The hills are separated by paved plazas that provide leisure facilities, flower beds, and benches. The area of the park located south of City Hall is made of plazas and water features, ending in a massive lake with orthogonal-shaped islands that serve as inviting rest areas for visitors. Related Articles:

Photo Credit: Central Park at Hunnan Axis by Niek Roozen Loosvan Vliet

Photo Credit: Central Park at Hunnan Axis by Niek Roozen Loosvan Vliet

The Water Features

The use of water as an ornamental feature has long been a staple of traditional Chinese landscape design. In Feng Shui, this is a crucial component to activate prosperity and increase income if the location and direction of flow are auspicious. Hills located to the north, from which a stream flows heading south, is supposed to attract great financial luck (as water is the ultimate money and wealth symbol in Feng Shui cosmology).

Photo Credit: Central Park at Hunnan Axis by Niek Roozen Loosvan Vliet

Photo Credit: Central Park at Hunnan Axis by Niek Roozen Loosvan Vliet

Hunnan Axis Central Park allow us to gain an insight into what a dynamic and powerful element water can be in outdoor public areas, improving urban life on both the environmental and social levels. Recommended Reading:

Article by Julia Lucchese Return to Homepage

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