Jiading Central Park

Urban expansion is impacting nearly every city in Asia. When limits of density and space are reached, designers are confronted with the question of how peri-urban areas can be co-opted to augment the city center. Jiading, a high-density mixed-use district on the outskirts of Shanghai is a prime example. Bolstering its case for livability is the 70 hectare Jiading Park, which was envisioned as the catalyst for the district’s growth. Today, Jiading Park is a beloved open space in this rapidly expanding precinct and is at the core of Jiading District’s identity and ethos. The initial design brief for Jiading Park called for a radical transformation. In its existing state, the site was comprised of factories, warehouses, and fallow agricultural fields. Canals showed signs of eutrophication—the presence of excessive amounts of nutrients—causing an explosion of algal blooms and posing a public health hazard. The new park would have to not only reverse the negatives, but in turn reposition the site into a significant recreational space and lifestyle amenity. To do this, its agenda was expanded to include a comprehensive study of the site’s ecological systems. The goal was to conceive an immersive biophilic experience where natural capital could be restored. A 3.2 linear kilometer naturalized canal forms the backbone of the park. Here, wetlands improve water quality and support riparian habitats. Pockets of dense green cover, some inaccessible to humans, create refuge for wildlife. In total, water bodies make up 16.4% of the park while wetlands constitute 9.2%. A post-occupancy evaluation conducted by East China Normal University noted significant improvements in water quality across the site. Samples taken at multiple points along the canal over the course of a year demonstrated a 66% reduction of total nitrogen, and a 97% reduction of total phosphorus. Fauna also returned to the site at a remarkable rate. Pollinator species, not observed during initial site inventories, have bloomed and fish and amphibian communities are thriving. Also recorded in the post occupancy study, the park has had an impact on Jiading District’s urban heat island, with an average reduction in park surface temperatures of 1.9 degrees Celsius. Estimates also suggest that approximately 167 tons of carbon will be sequestered annually in the park, up from a pre-development baseline of 39 tons. Since its opening, Jiading Park has become the geographic and symbolic center of Jiading District. More critically, it showcases nature-centric planning as a viable model for urban expansion. Typically, Chinese parks are manicured and monocultural. By comparison, Jiading Park is untamed in appearance and intentionally complex. Today, the park serves as a prime example of the impact of restoration ecology, particularly on improvements to water quality and the proliferation of wildlife habitats.