M50 Flying Bridge Park | Amanda Ton

Suzhou creek is the mother river of Shanghai and a hotbed for its development in the past decades. It was an important trading route during the rapid industrial development back in the 1920s, numerous warehouses and factories were built along the river, which has caused serious pollution to the water quality of river. Suzhou river has become a symbol of dirt and pollution ever since, flooding problem were also exacerbated by the sedimentation on riverbed.

Second Award | RTFSA 2016 Awards
Category: Landscape Design (Concept)

©Amanda Ton

In 1998, Shanghai government launched the “ Suzhou Creek Rehabilitation Project”. River edges are straightened and channelized; tall concrete floodwalls are built for flood prevention as well as to separate the people from the unpleasant river. Despite the great improvement in water quality by the effort of water revitalization projects, the river is still edged by tall walls on both sides that blocks interaction between people and river, urban development has been disconnected with the river that Suzhou creek has become a barrier that divides the city instead of connecting it.

The aim of this project is to revitalize the image of Suzhou Creek, recover the river, and to connect the present fragmented development on site. The concept proposes to renovate the current underused Terminal Park into a new connection zone that links up the fragment land use around. The project not only re-envision the role played by Suzhou creek in the future urban development of shanghai, located next to Shanghai famous art district M50 and surrounded by residential
development, the project also tries to create a multipurpose landscape that addresses the rising importance and impact of art culture in Shanghai, at the same time fulfilling the recreational demand by the local residences, and bring people and urban development back to the river.

©Amanda Ton

The proposed project consists of a dynamic system of circulation connect the site both internally and externally across the river. The hyper meandering wooden pathways, both vertically and horizontally, are exploited to physically and physiologically slow down visitors, sharpening experience and provide a multitude way and perspective to view the park. The flying bridge transforms and intersects with the landscape in different ways to accommodate a diversity of programs that suit the recreational and cultural demand of the users. Based on the initial waterfront research, a more diverse water edge is also proposed to create a dynamic and visitor welcoming riverfront. To the east side of the site, water is introduced in to the land without concrete stream bed, forming a wetland area with exuberance and colorful plants to create a place of strong visual and spatial identity.