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PLAT Studio: Nestled between Shanghai and Suzhou, Kunshan is a rapidly developing county-level city. The recent influx of industry workers and residents, drawn to the newly flourishing tech district of Kunshan West, has created a need for conscious inclusion of green infrastructure to support the district’s core as it continues to grow.

Typical of cities in southern Jiangsu, activity in Kunshan historically centered around the network of canals that permeated the city–a lifestyle emanating from people’s connection to and dependency upon water. Modern development has since shifted the emphasis from canals to highways, prioritizing vehicular convenience over the pedestrian experience. While Kunshan West is blessed with expansive water and open space resources, poor infrastructure in combination with rapid development have left these natural resources underutilized and neglected.

Short office name: PLAT Studio

Role of the office in the project: Landscape Architect

Website: platstudio.net

Other designers involved in the design of landscape: E2 Design Lab, Australia (Water Management)

Project location: Yuan Shi Lu, Kunshan Shi, Jiangsu Sheng China 215301

Design year: 2014

Year Built: 2016

Forest Park, a large 163 hectare area of forested wetland, has the capacity to act as an ecological and recreational anchor for the region. The park falls within the Miaojing River watershed, a historically preserved drinking water aqueduct resource connecting Kuilei Lake and Kunshan’s Old Town.

from landezine