A Wetland to Save a City
Student Example 1
LA 212: History of Modern and Contemporary Landscape Architecture
Professor Christine O’Hara
8 November 2022
1
On the banks of the Yongning River, in the city of Taizhou on the Eastern coast of
China, sits a historic solution to a problem that has plagued the city. Water management and
flooding have always been an issue for Taizhou. China’s speedy urbanization has called for the
control of nature and the dominance of ecosystems. However, as landscape architect Kongjian
Yu realized, the hard, concrete, engineering approach to controlling nature isn’t necessarily
correct. In working with the Chinese government, cultural ideals, and Mother Nature herself, Yu
created a way to contain flooding, based on the tenants of landscape urbanism, which ended up
becoming the standard for flood control throughout China.
Up until a few decades ago, the Yongning River in Taizhou, Zhejiang, was controlled
with concrete. Walls were built up on the
sides of the river to keep the water
contained, should flooding be a problem.
Unfortunately, as seen time and time again,
urban sprawl can’t withstand the sheer
power and force of nature. As shown in the
figure to the right, concrete was poured at
different heights to hold in the water, which
accounted for different flood scenarios.
However, concrete isn’t an ecologically
friendly solution. Opposed to the use of a
natural landscape where water is absorbed
by the concrete, the concrete completely
blocks it off. “In towns and cities, flash floods are a growing problem. The concrete jungle can’t
soak up rainwater, so in heavy downpours it has nowhere to go except into drains, overloading
them and setting off flash floods.”1 Gardens and wetland ecosystems act as natural drainage and
water management to prevent flooding and city destruction. In thinking along these lines, the
first thing Yu did was take out the concrete and started designing a landscape that is more suited
to soaking up the water.
1
Jeremy Plester, “Why concrete + rain = flash floods,” The Guardian. July 25, 2016,
[Link]
atch.
2
What became known as ‘sponge cities’ are modern solutions to modern, man-made
problems. Climate change and urbanization have drastically changed our environmental
conditions and how we tackle problems. “Globally, more intense tropical storms are on the rise
as a result of climate change, leading to increased flooding that threatens lives, crops and
groundwater.”2 Every day, climate change's effects become more apparent as floods take over
concrete cities. Rather than using ‘hard’ engineering tactics, like concrete, to try to control the
water and flooding, Yu found out that a collaborative approach, one that works with, rather than
against the water, was far more effective. To this end, Yu decided to give the river exactly what
it
was looking for: a place to
flood.
Yu employed several
strategies to allow the river to
flood in a safe way. The first
of which was terraces, as
shown in the image to the
left. The landscape was
terraced so that when the
river floods, it is still
contained and simulates
natural environments. “We
create eco-friendly
terraces. So that land and water will meet, depending on the different levels of flood.” 3
Throughout different seasons in China, the weather changes, especially the rainfall. During the
wet, monsoon-filled months, the upper terraces flood. During the dry months, the upper terraces
act as a park, and the lower terraces hold the river’s normal water level. The upper levels also
2
“China Floods Force Tens of Thousands to Evacuate with More Rainfall Expected,” The
Guardian, June 22, 2022,
[Link]
te-with-more-rainfall-expected.
3
“This man is turning cities into giant sponges to save lives | Pioneers for Our Planet,” YouTube
video, 4:27, posted by World Economic Forum, August 28, 2019,
[Link]
3
include forests, and walking paths for patrons to enjoy, as seen in Figure 2. When designing the
landscape, Yu took flood data for potential flood scenarios 5, 20, and 50 years into the future.
This data was then used to build the park to allow for the different flood conditions, which
ultimately led to the use of the terraces and the different height of each one. The river can flood
without destroying the ecosystem or parts of the city.
In addition, different wetlands were designed to sit along the river to help with any other
potential flooding concerns. Many landscape architects have turned to these environments in
order to help with stormwater management and flooding. “Wetlands function as natural sponges
that trap and slowly release surface water, rain, snowmelt, groundwater and flood waters. Trees,
root mats and other wetland vegetation also slow the speed of flood waters and distribute them
more slowly over the floodplain”4 (EPA). An added benefit to bringing back the natural water
systems is the filtration of the water. Plants are a natural resource for cleaning waste and toxic
substances out of water. Plants were vital to help
take care of the excess water.
While flooding dictated the majority of the design
of the project, the utilization of native species
was used whenever and wherever possible in the
design. Native vegetation is not only good for the
ecosystem, but Yu knew these species of plants
would flourish without any special care because
the plants already thrive in the given
environmental conditions. “Native wetland
plants, trees and bamboos are massed along the
riverbank and throughout the design not only to
ensure successful establishment of the vegetation,
but also to promote continuity of the design with
4
Environmental Protection Agency, “Why Are Wetlands Important,” (Washington, D.C.,
2022), [Link]
%20destr oyed.-,Flood%20Protection,more%20slowly%20over%20the%20floodplain.
4
5
the surrounding ecosystem.” From an aesthetics perspective, using native plants will help blend
the new landscape with existing planes. For example, native bamboo was placed into the
landscape, as seen in Figure 3. Bamboo was placed in an allée that leads the patron through the
landscape. Furthermore, water plants like reeds thrive on the water’s edge. These plants provide
shelter for animals. Chinese redwoods are planted along the river as well to provide shade for
visitors. Native grasses were added along the river and throughout the park to add visual interest
and beauty to the scene.
The hydrology, geomorphology, and vegetation were designed and created based on the
design philosophy of landscape urbanism. “The core argument of...[l]andscape [u]rbanism is that
landscape, rather than architecture better defines urban forms and experiences.” 6 For this reason,
landscape design should be prioritized when designing a building or architectural structure. This
philosophy of design is used in Yu’s projects as a guide for the final product. Landscape
urbanism thinks about the city as a whole rather than one specific landscape or park when
creating new landscapes. Cities utilize plants, water management, and culture to create places to
live. Yu took all of these ideas into consideration when designing The Floating Gardens.
There are several entrances patrons can walk through in order to enter the park. The
Southern entrance leads into a recreational area, complete with a boatyard, skatepark, and
fisherman’s dock. The Northern entrance opens into a more natural space. Patrons enter the
wetland, surrounded by sitting areas, and unique scenery boxes, which are insulation art pieces
that house stories and symbols of cultural importance. In addition, two additional entrances allow
the patrons to enter the middle of the park, which opens onto the wetland landscape. Once inside
the park, there are several routes one could take through the landscape. Rather than keeping all
of the paths parallel to the river, routes criss-cross the water and the land, and appear to float on
the river’s surface, ringing true to the name, ‘Floating Gardens.’ This use of circulation is
brilliant in terms of flood management. Whether or not the park floods, the citizens of Taizhou
can still enjoy everything the landscape has to offer, safely. In addition to the floating pathways,
there are
5
Graham Johnstone and Xiangfeng Kong, “Making Friends with Floods: An Ecological Park
Reclaims a Degraded Stretch of a Chinese River,” Turenscape, June 26, 2007,
[Link]
6
Kongjian Yu, interview by Xiang Yunke and Han Yafei, PKU News, November 4, 2009.
5
also paths along the river’s edge
that people can walk along. The
story boxes criss-cross along the
river, following the pathways.
While walking through
the park is one of the main
activities, Yu also thought about
other aspects of human life and
activities that other residents of
the city might enjoy. For
example, bike paths were added
in addition to the typical
pedestrian pathways. These paths
don’t cut across the water as
much as the pathways for walkers
do. In Figure 4, the encouraged bike path (marker 07 on Figure 4) avoids the areas with the most
water, while the pedestrian paths cut through them. The reason for this is that people are easier
to control than bikes. Yu separates the people and bikes for everyone’s safety. Having
designated routes for each makes sure people don’t get run over by bikes, while still allowing
bikes to stay at the speed they wish. There is also bike parking, as seen at marker 11 on the map,
which also gives bikers opportunities to leave their bike to just enjoy the area. In addition to
bikes, there is a skate park and fishing docks. For those who perhaps don’t find joy in constant
activity, resting areas are available under shaded cover for people to rest or for contemplation.
Understanding the significance of culture is paramount to designing a landscape that
blends with the people it is made for. With that in mind, Yu had to work with the residents of
Taizhou and with their cultural values. “Not only is this process ecologically destructive to the
fragile edge conditions of the inter-tidal zones, but it is also culturally and historically insensitive
to the traditional symbolism and place of the river with respect to the lives of the local
inhabitants.”7 Opposed to Yu’s new design, the concrete river that was built previously placed no
7
“ASLA 2006 Professional Awards,” American Society of Landscape Architects, 2006,
[Link]
6
importance on the culture or history of the place where was being built. In the design of The
Floating Gardens, Yu added space for brightly colored rooms with no ceilings and few walls.
These art installations are scenery boxes. In each one, there is a sculpture or iconography of
Chinese culture. For example, one of the “boxes” is a series of red poles that are stuck in the
ground, as seen below in Figure 5. These poles are symbolic of a kung fu school. The poles and
surrounding grasses
always survive the floods,
symbolizing strength.8
There are a series of eight
boxes throughout the park.
Each has its own meaning,
significant to the culture.
In addition, the bright
colors of the walls and
pictures add contrast to
the muted greens and
blues from the horticulture
and water itself. These
boxes
add life and visual interest to the landscape.
The entirety of the landscape works together in unity to provide the best solution for
people, animals, plants, and the city itself. The Floating Gardens offers recreation, restoration,
and remediation for Taizhou and its inhabitants. When designing the landscape, Kongjian Yu
made sure to take into account all aspects of Chinese culture in relation to the river. He had to
be gentle with his approach due to the fact that the river was symbolic in Chinese culture, and
some didn’t want him to try to work with it. In addition, the improved river helps with tourism
revenue, as people come to the city to see the landscape. The landscape also provides an oasis of
plants and animals in an otherwise industrialized and structured place. The river gives the
community safety from flooding, and a place to decompress, enjoy the landscape and reconnect
8
Johnstone and Kong, “Making Friends.”
7
with nature. The Floating Gardens is an innovative and beautiful way to solve a problem that had
the potential for death and destruction. In working with people, plants, and possibilities of
success, Yu created a wetland that saved a city.
8
Bibliography
“ASLA 2006 Professional Awards.” American Society of Landscape Architects. 2006.
[Link]
Associated Press. “China Floods Force Tens of Thousands to Evacuate with More Rainfall
Expected.” The Guardian. June 22, 2022.
[Link]
-evacuate-with-more-rainfall-expected (accessed November 2, 2022).
Environmental Protection Agency. “Why Are Wetlands Important.” Washington, D.C., 2022.
[Link]
20destroyed.-,Flood%20Protection,more%20slowly%20over%20the%20floodplain.
Johnstone Graham, and Kong Xiangfeng. “Making Friends with Floods: An Ecological Park
Reclaims a Degraded Stretch of a Chinese River.” Turenscape. June 26, 2007.
[Link]
Plester, Jeremy. “Why concrete + rain = flash floods.” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media.
July 25, 2016,
[Link]
eatherwatch
“This man is turning cities into giant sponges to save lives | Pioneers for Our Planet.” YouTube
video, 4:27. Posted by World Economic Forum. August 28, 2019.
[Link]
Yu, Kongjian. Landscape Urbanism. By Xiang Yunke and Han Yafei. PKU News. November
04, 2009.
Links to Pictures used for Figures
Figure 1: [Link]
Figure 2: [Link]
Figure 3: [Link]
Figure 4: [Link]
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Figure 5: [Link]
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