Haikou Jiangdong Coastal Park

Project Profile

1. Project Statement

Haikou Jiangdong Beach Park in Hainan's Haikou City, transforms a solid concrete sea wall and a desolate fish farm into a verdant, resilient public area. It effectively counters sea level rise and soil salinization, acting as a crucial buffer for the neighboring commercial district against tropical storms, while demonstrating innovative, nature-based solutions for climate adaptation, a departure from traditional concrete engineering approaches.

2. Project Narrative

2.1 Challenges and Context

In the context of the newly established Hainan Free Trade Zone, the design of Haikou Jiangdong Beach Park, encompassing an area of 370 hectares along 3.72km long beach, faced significant environmental challenges. The pre-existing 4-meter high concrete sea wall, originally constructed for protection, impeded natural sea-land interactions, leading to soil salinization and damage to the protective vegetative windbreak. Moreover, the wall's inflexible design intensified erosive forces, undermining its structural integrity. Additionally, the site's past as a shrimp farm left vast areas of barren concrete ponds, replacing native mangrove habitats, further complicating the ecological restoration efforts.

2.2 Innovative Design Solutions

The project's comprehensive strategy included:

Transforming the primary concrete wall into a 'breathing', permeable structure that involves reshaping it into terraced planters, enhancing vegetation growth and water flow, and significantly improving beach accessibility. The original foundation of the sea wall was preserved underground, while the visible part was removed. This modification was designed to allow occasional surges, happening once every one or two years, to surpass the terraced structure and flow into an inland porous green space, effectively acting as a buffer zone. A segment of the concrete flood wall on the western side of the site, bordering the lagoon, was transformed into a permeable riprap flood wall.

Crafting a spongy, porous landscape, this project adeptly manages monsoon rains and urban stormwater, reducing the risk of salinization while fostering indigenous flora. The once-degraded inland area has been skillfully transformed into a porous landscape using minimal cut-and-fill techniques, interspersed with numerous bioswales for enhanced ecological benefits.

Maintaining the shrimp farm's original layout, concrete was removed from dykes to reveal natural earth, enhancing ecosystem connectivity. This material was repurposed for island creation and varied micro-topographies, fostering mangrove and native habitats. Artfully constructed paths and bridges now offer immersive experiences in this revitalized, rewilded landscape.

Fusing recreation with ecology: Establishing linear pedestrian pathways to bolster coastal resilience and filter storm surges, fostering vegetation growth, and offering immersive experiences in native vegetation. The park combines ecological restoration with amenities like bike lanes, paths, and storm-resistant pavilions for locals, CBD residents, and tourists.

Detailing and materials: Pre-fabricated concrete slates were employed for pedestrian areas, elevated from the ground to minimize ecological impact and expedite vegetation establishment. Weather-resistant, ocean wave-inspired pavilions function as both shelters and sculptural focal points, enhancing the beach's appeal.

3. Conclusion and Impact

This project successfully transformed a concrete sea wall and barren fish farm into a vibrant public space, addressing sea level rise and soil salinization. The innovative design has proven its resilience by withstanding numerous tropical storms in the past two years. The project also integrates recreational amenities, establishing a benchmark in urban design that harmonizes nature with community needs. This project redefines the role of landscape architecture in shaping sustainable, adaptive urban futures in the era of climate crisis.