INTERNATIONAL
Tell me about the scheme’s approach
to surface water management?
We basically carried out a hydrological
profiling of the land, which meant
modeling the terrain and looking at how
the water runs off. With that information
we looked at how we can use planting to
intercept the run off and prevent silt and
other pollutants from getting into the
watercourse. We used gradient modeling
software and environment design to
prevent run off from the site.
How has the reaction to the project
been?
The scheme has received mixed reactions.
On the one hand it sets out objectives for
designing Sponge Cities and it achieves a
lot in terms of how development can work
in harmony with nature. But much of the
research programme that we produced
to explore the use of biofuels and new
construction materials from local sources
has yet to be implemented. We had bold
visions for a building that would be built
entirely of bamboo (the area is renown
for its large bamboo forests) and another
building where everything used would
come from within an 88 mile radius of
the site, encouraging the establishment
of local supply chains. Sadly those
visions have not yet been realised and it
highlights the issue of research parks.
It’s not just enough to build them but
the research upon which the design is
focussed also needs to be implemented to
get the most value from the scheme.
What is your favourite aspect of the
project?
My favourite part of projects like this is
the dialogue between groups of experts
that are approaching the design from
different angles. We all learn from the
experience and ideas rub off. We have
learned a lot about working in different
climate zones and the integration of
landscape into buildings and its my
GUI’AN INNOVATION PARK, GUIZHOU
guess that other members of the team
have learned a lot about water sensitive
design. Building something using new
technology that has never been used
before is always rewarding.
The site incorporates a lot of
greenery? Can you tell me a bit more
about that?
The green in this project is
representative of the urban wetlands
that will form a large part of the new
districts masterplan. We wanted to
incorporate bamboo forests, stormwater
wetlands and urban food production into
the design of the site. Consequently it
has large areas of green infrastructure
which function as the water treatment,
food production and biofuel facilities as
a model for future cities that are far more
resilient and sustainable than current
ones being built. Whether the park has
the ability to influence change is yet to be
seen. g
November 2018 | Landscape Insight
31