Location: Mainland China
Year: 2008
Tianjin Qiaoyuan Wetland Park was reclaimed from a former garbage dump. By adopting a regenerative design approach, the heavily-contaminated and deserted site was regraded and revegetated. It is now a recreational wetland that stores and purifies stormwater.
The region’s adaptive vegetation communities inspired the development of a park solution called “The Adaptation Palettes”, which allows nature to take its course.
The park employed a straightforward regenerative design strategy for the landscape, creating 21 pond cavities ranging from 10 to 40 metres in diameter and one to five metres in depth.
Initially, a mix of plant species seeds was sown to build the vegetation, while other native species were allowed to grow in suitable conditions. As the seasons change, distinct patches of vegetation emerge in response to the individual wet or dry cavities and varying pH levels. The resulting landscape showcases the area’s water- and alkaline-sensitive vegetation.
The living system, known as the adaptive palette, is complemented by footpaths that establish a network of visitor connections. Willow woodlands surround the ponds, while platforms and bridges are thoughtfully designed to immerse visitors in a visually appealing landscape of native grasses and wildflowers.
The footpaths feature an environmental interpretation system that explains natural patterns, processes, and indigenous species.
During the initial phase, the site was regraded to construct ponds of varying depths to collect, store and treat stormwater. Additionally, inert waste from the site was repurposed as fill material to shape the topography. The result was the creation of 21 ponds, each measuring between 20-40 metres in diameter and featuring varying depths.
Image Attribution: ©Turenscape