Xuhui Runway Park

Xuhui Runway Park has set a new model for innovative urban revitalization by establishing a state-of-the-art public realm at the heart of the former industrial district. Once the main runway of Longhua Airport, the 14.63-hectare site has transformed into a side-by-side public street and linear park, providing a valuable open space corridor which serves the district’s high-density developments and offers a much needed recreational space for adjacent neighborhoods. A Comprehensive Urban Landscape To celebrate the site’s history, the design of the park mimics the motion of a runway, creating diverse linear spaces for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians by organizing the park and street into an interconnected sequence at a runway scale, a “runway of modern life”. Ascending and descending movements replicate the experience of being on an airplane, connecting the park’s visitors to the site’s past and providing a collection of distinctive views. The sunken garden between the park's subway station and adjoining development parcels improves the walking experience to and from transit while extending the descending and ascending experience. Commercial frontage is introduced along the garden perimeter to support the park’s operations and maintenance costs. Multiple water features, a bespoke playground, and custom site furnishings, which were inspired by the aviation industry, are distributed throughout the park. Demonstration of Sustainable Design -Programming and Social Equity: Diverse programs are organized in various park spaces, open to all and primarily free of charge. The entire park is universally accessible, providing equal opportunities for people at the full range of ability levels. The park serves as a year-round outdoor destination for nearby residents, office workers, families, and students. -Environmental Sustainability Coupled with Context Sensitive Design: Abundant wildlife habitats are integrated with the landscape, with 100% of plant species in the park native to the Yangtze River Delta. Trident Maple was planted as the iconic tree species delineating the alignment of the preserved runway panels. Portions of the runway’s original concrete were integrated in the park wherever feasible, prolonging the site’s memory as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the manufacturing of new concrete. The aviation-inspired site lighting is all LED sourced, reducing annual electricity use by 167,000 kilowatts compared to metal-halide lighting. Most construction materials were sourced locally to reduce emissions from transportation, protect rainforests, and support the local economy. The stormwater from both the park and Yunjin Road is managed through the rain garden and constructed wetland. After treatment, the stormwater meets the quality requirements for recreational water suitable for human touch. A portion of the treated runoff is collected at an underground cistern to supply the park's operational use and the Runway Fountain. The project’s sustainability initiatives have earned it the first SITES Gold certification in mainland China. Following the park’s construction, many major residential, commercial, and office developments were implemented on parcels adjacent to the park. The property value of the adjoining neighborhood has increased over 80% since 2015. Xuhui Runway Park has become as a catalyst for the urban regeneration of Shanghai’s Xuhui Riverfront District.