The Jincheng River Park is situated on both sides of the Dan River and is about 12 km long and 500 m wide. The Dan River suffers from pollution caused by the local coal mines. The assignment consists of a purification strategy for the river and its banks and the design of a river park with cultural and recreational values. The Dan River plays an important role in the migration of birds and therefore the terminology of birds has been an inspiration to the plan.
The park holds a transformative atmosphere, from natural wetland in the north, a more cultural urban park with urban agriculture in the middle to a fragile nature with restricted access in the south.
The transformation is made visible through dominant tree species in each area; willows in the north, blossom, birches and cypress in the middle and weeping willows in the south. Special gardens are located throughout the park, containing native species like ferns and anemone.
The shape of the river is adjusted to create a wider variety in the different parts of the park; there is a part with natural islands, a part with smooth banks and a part with existing water falls. The river bed is enlarged and designed to enable extensive water flow in the future. Dams are proposed to continue water supply for selected parts in summer.
The strategy for purifying the river consists of multiple steps. First, all rivers leading to the main Dan River will be purified and all river beds and banks will be cleaned. Then the existing river Dan will be broadened, the islands will be created to slow down the water and sink the polluted particles and the banks will be planted to prevent pollution and erosion. Multiple sedimentation levels will be installed to sink the polluted particles. The large wetland in the middle filters the water to become of high enough quality to swim in at the urban park.
The path system is appropriate to the atmosphere of the park and is materialized with elevated wooden paths in the wetland, a wooden boardwalk in the urban park and narrow wooden paths in the south. In addition, connections are made for every village to connect it to the river, like a boardwalk, a fishing pier or a swimming pier. Corten steel totems along the routes point out cultural and historical aspects in the area. All buildings and play elements in the park will be of natural appearance. Facilities for birds are incorporated throughout the park, with nests in the north, exceptional bird nests draped around trees in the urban part and walls of loam and sand for bird caves in the south.
Multiple activities can be found all over the park, like natural playgrounds in the north and urban agriculture and restaurants in the urban part. A special garden reminds of the coal mines and engravings in stone for which the area is famous. A lake for swimming and boats is situated in the south. Scale-shaped fire places are proposed in the meadows alongside the lake for the local people to have barbecues.
location: Jincheng, China
year of design: 2013
in collaboration with: Niek Roozen bv, Arktree, Witteveen en Bos
client: City of Jincheng