Abandoned urban area becomes floating forest in China

In the east-central Chinese city of Nanchang, Turenscape transformed a 126-acre abandoned waterscape into a floating forest that regulates stormwater, provides wildlife habitat, offers a variety of recreational opportunities and creates a place for residents to enjoy. a new way to connect with nature - as well as serving as a catalyst for urban development in the surrounding area. Nanchang Fish Tail Park is part of an effort by the firm’s landscape architect, Kongjian Yu, to show that it is possible to open up new spaces in cities, not just for people but also for nature and events like monsoon storms. Inspired by the ancient concept of wetland farming and the floating garden system, coal ash dumped on site was recycled and mixed with dirt from fish pond dikes to create numerous islets. At the same time, the Turenscape team created a lake that can accommodate 2 m of water level rise, providing the capacity to capture a total of 1 million cubic meters of rainwater flow.

Considering the native marshy landscape, adapted to monsoon flooding, the selected tree species can survive fluctuating water levels and include Taxodium distichum, Taxodium distichum var. imbricatum and Metasequoia glyptostroboides . These are perennial and annual wetland plants that have been planted along the coasts and edges of the island. The central forest of Fish Tail Park on the water, which is submerged during the annual monsoon floods, offers opportunities for nature exploration and an immersive wetland experience. Meanwhile, the peripheral waterfront of the floating park provides a zone that can meet the needs of recreational areas for the local population, with playgrounds, beaches, fountains and lawns. A bike path and service road run through the park. A network of trails and pedestrian platforms surround the lake and provide access to the wooded islands, offering visitors endless opportunities for exploration. (via designboom)