Sasaki Associates
Xincunsha Master Plan Chongming Island , Shanghai , China
MERIT AWARD / BSLA
Landscape Analysis and Planning
The mouth of the Yangtze River is one of the most fragile and threatened ecosystems in the world . It is the world ’ s most active freshwater shipping route , the closest major river to the 23 million people of greater Shanghai , and its estuary is a critical feeding ground for migratory birds . As China ’ s urbanization continues , rethinking strategies for development along the Yangtze is critical to the economic and ecological success of the region .
Xincunsha represents a new relationship between development and the river . Privatized landscapes are repositioned as public parks for recreation , habitat creation , and nature-based education . Infrastructure focuses on resilience rather than restraint . Urban design encourages walkability and access to open space . The result is a new urban district that is linked to Shanghai with transit , prioritizes the landscape , promotes social engagement , and offers a diverse park system that connects the community to the region ’ s landscape heritage .
Boston Society of Landscape Architects Fieldbook
139