In the Wetland Park of the sponge city of Hefei, an exciting, green-blue recreational area is being created from the necessary infrastructures for flood protection and rainwater purification.
The low-lying wetland biotope, which develops from the depression of the neighbouring dry stream to the north, is modelled on a river delta and creates diverse ecological and scenic added value for the neighbouring urban areas. The considerable difference in height between road and water level is integrated into the design in the form of terraced slopes, which are modelled on traditional Chinese rice terraces. The different terrain levels descend towards the wetland biotope, creating a variety of recreational areas that differ in size, shape and utilisation options. The steeper areas have generous seating steps that offer residents attractive sunset spots, among other things. A variety of visual connections mediate between the city and the park landscape. The circular walkways allow flora and fauna to be experienced in the centre of the city and invite playful movement and activity.
In its buffer function, the Wetland Park plays an important role in the city's water management: the large retention volume of the open space absorbs excessive amounts of runoff and prevents potential backwater during heavy rainfall events. The pre-cleaned water from the northern floodplain park is purified here by aquatic plants before being channelled into the neighbouring reservoir. Floating plant islands create a flowing landscape transition between the wetland and the reservoir and form a habitat for ecologically valuable microorganisms.

The floodplain park is one of the five green corridors in the north of the airport city and plays a key role in the overarching sponge city concept. As a blue-green infrastructure, it makes a virtue out of the threat of flooding: the technical facilities required for water management are carefully integrated into the landscape design and staged as interactive, identity-creating open space elements. The result is a valuable public green space for play, sport and recreation.
A meandering dry stream forms a central landscape element of the floodplain park. The different water levels give it a constantly changing appearance. The neighbouring panoramic path runs close to the riverbed, along meadows and densely planted groves. Direct paths for cyclists and pedestrians connect the neighbouring residential areas. For the people who live there, the park serves as a green living room and is a meeting place for various social activities. Seating areas along the extensive retention areas invite people to linger and relax. Numerous facilities, such as a basketball court, playgrounds and a skate park, are easily accessible along the park promenade. The market hall located at the intersection with the cycle highway is a central meeting point and forms a striking spatial prelude.
In addition to the social needs of the city dwellers, the park fulfils another important task: the surface water from the surrounding districts is channelled here and cleaned by hydrophytes in rain gardens. Collected in retention basins, the rainwater can seep away and evaporate. The dry stream diverts any excess water into the wetland. While the riverbed of the dry stream is designed for a 50-year heavy rainfall event, the green corridor as a whole can absorb the rainfall of 200-year extreme weather events.

The project brings the master plan for the sponge city of Hefei to life and realises a 3 km long green ribbon as a pilot project for integrated water-sensitive urban and landscape planning. Starting from the central water system of river and reservoir, a networked green-blue infrastructure is being created that combines flood protection, local recreation, climate adaptation, ecology and social interaction. The park is divided into five sections, each with a different focus of use.
The floodplain park is the green living room of the neighbouring residential areas and, in addition to its essential role in flood protection, creates spaces and offers for urban life and active leisure activities. Here, a near-natural dry stream runs through a gentle floodplain landscape lined with groups of trees and urban forests.
The lush water biotopes of the wetland park buffer and clean the rainwater and relieve the burden on the sewage system. Extensive terraced slopes characterise the landscape and create an additional flood buffer.
The urban terraces give the city centre an urban face to the water. The multifunctional public bank is a central meeting point and enables a variety of water-related uses.
On the eco shore, the renaturalised shallow water biotopes integrate existing vegetation, promote biodiversity and enable a direct experience of nature. A multi-stage system of nature-based solutions improves the water quality of the reservoir, whose ecology is under pressure from the surrounding urbanisation.
Depending on the season, the weather and the water level, the landscape changes its appearance as water surfaces swell and new perspectives emerge. A continuous cycle highway links the urban area from north to south, making cycling an attractive and sustainable mobility option.

Strolling in vivid nature!

Located in between the high mountains and the Ionian Sea in the South of Albania, the new 2 km long Drymades promenade wants to emphasize this duality by creating an impression of being immersed in nature and the greenery while having the beach feeling at the same time. By using organic shapes instead of straight lines, we create a green boulevard with different scenarios, points of view and vibes.

The division in different zones helps on creating diversity and reflects the varieties and characteristics the area presents. The promenade aims to be an experience in itself with more quiet and natural zones on the side and a vivid part, the hotspot area, in the middle. Here you can find an underground bar which also serves as an elevated plaza or also a pier on the water with different functions on it. The project is unified by common elements, materials and concepts along the promenade such as stone walls, sand-coloured concrete paving and cut out stone or furniture in corten steel.

One of the key elements of the project is the planting in random dispersion. It serves as shading but also helps at shaping the promenade and giving different scenarios and points of view.

The kiosks, which are always located in the planters, provide the necessary services needed on the promenade. While the fixed bottom part is made of stone walls, the upper part is made from wood and is thought of as a flexible element that can adapt to the different functions and needs. The biggest kiosk serves as a bar and eating place, the smaller ones as newspaper or ice cream shops, and the smallest ones as public toilets and changing rooms. The roof made of corten steel makes the structure a sustainable one. It is slightly elevated from the main structures to allow the air to pass through and cool the structure underneath. It also collects the rainwater and with the proper inclination, brings it to the planter on the back.

The rural south of Albania is gifted with a spectacular coastline, unspoiled natural areas and rich cultural heriatage. Travel is an important driver of the economic development of Albania. However, developments of the past 20 years have been haphazard and do not match the touristic potential of the region. Being part of the Albanian Governments initiative of 'Urban Rebirth', the main objective of this project was the regeneration of the waterfronts of the villages Jalë and Dhërmi. Starting from the outstanding natural beauty of both locations, our aim was to structure and strengthen the coastline and connect it with its surroundings, both physically as well as ideally.

In Dhermi this included freeing the main promenade from car traffic, providing basic infrastructure such as benches, bins, showers and fountains, but keeping the promenade at a low profile, seeking a continuation with the beach. At the entrance of the promenade an existing structure and a seasonal stream are integrated to form a watersquare, a landmark for the site which will include iconic lettering. A pier serves both for watersports but also as look-out and artificial cliff. The watersquare connects further inland through the 'valley of freshness' and invites for mountaineering and cultural activities.

The design of the square strengthens the natural coastline of Albania which can be described as a sequence of capes. Our aim was to turn a necessary element of coastal defence into a public space that strengthened the formerly desolate promenade. The site forms the endpoint of this promenade and is divided into three parts: The park, the square, and the urban cape which acts as a public attraction, free of charge. The Park with the green beds and local trees supports the uniqueness of Durres and is easy to maintain.

Following the geographical and ecological conditions, 'Cape Square' is seen from far away and invites to climb and play.
Cape Square has been received extremely well as a real 'European Public Space' playing an important role in the electoral campaign of the incumbent mayor. It has featured in several music videos and countless wedding pictures and has been published and awarded widely. Cape Square is commonly known as 'Sfinksi' (The Sphinx) all over Albania.

Various near-natural areas in the southern part of Hefei Sponge City Park together form the eco shore. At a greater distance from the urban residential areas of the new city, species-rich, protected water biotopes are being created here by remodelling the bank structures of the reservoir.
The dilapidated existing concrete embankment is being repaired and extended by a foreshore. This so-called eco-berm made of bamboo mats, gravel, sediment, wood and large stones will be placed on top of the existing structure and provide new habitats for water-loving plants and animals. The plant species introduced here improve the water quality by serving as a food source for bacteria that purify the water of the reservoir through natural processes.
An existing woodland area is being reforested and developed into a dense urban forest, which has a positive effect on the microclimate and biodiversity. In addition, a retention soil filter hidden in the forest takes on hydrological functions. Rainwater is cleaned here and then channelled into the lake.
The former fish ponds are being transformed into shallow water zones with bird islands and beaches. These areas, which are inaccessible to humans, provide important refuges for endangered local bird species. A panoramic platform allows people to experience the protected areas and opens up wide views across the lake. The species-rich, shallow banks create additional retention space in the event of heavy rainfall. Along the neighbouring main road to the south, a new layer of trees filters the fine dust particles.

The city terraces give the centre of the airport city a lively and representative face to the dam. They bring the urban character and the mix of functions right down to the water's edge and create a versatile waterside edge with a promenade, shady urban trees, spacious open terraces, a bathing island, a marina for sailing and rowing boats, viewing platforms and flexible areas for events and catering.
The shore area is divided into an elevated, flood-safe area with a pedestrian walkway and cycle path and a lower, temporarily flooded shore zone close to the normal water level of the dam, which opens up a wide range of opportunities for interaction with the water. The raised quay and promenade areas offer sweeping views along the water's edge, while the traffic-calmed riverside road creates space for markets and sporting events. Sponge city elements such as retention soil filters and rainwater overflow basins are integrated into the waterfront design as green inlays. Lush rain gardens compensate for the sealed surfaces and also enable effective buffering and natural purification of the rainwater produced.
The northern start of the area is formed by a bathing island in front of the dam with heated swimming pools, which allow for an extended season of use. In the colder months, the island can be used as a versatile event venue. The city terraces combine urban life and water space to create an attractive and multifunctional meeting place.

In its current state, the Guitanghe River harbours complex problems for the urban development of Changsha. In addition to frequent flooding events, there is a lack of integration into the city. The river forms the backside of the city, which is reflected in a lack of accessibility and unsafe, littered riverbank zones. In the rapidly growing metropolis, there is also a lack of green meeting spaces that regulate the urban climate.

The aim of the integrated masterplan is to emphasise the river as a central and lively lifeline in the city and to significantly increase its ecological, urban, social and cultural significance. Based on the flooding problem and different water levels of the Guitanghe, the result is a dynamically reacting urban design that considers water as a variable in the dimensioning and programming of spaces. A field of urban experimentation is being created where innovative water management and urban planning concepts intertwine and give the growing city an ambitious, positive and future-oriented perspective.

The river is therefore of great importance as the central and linear centre of the city, which offers opportunities for urban development improvements in addition to water management measures. As a green lung, the Guitanghe strengthens the urban ecosystem and creates new identity-forming spaces for local recreation as well as social and cultural infrastructure on its banks.

In the long term, the river and the green-blue corridors emanating from it can connect the city of Changsha both within the city centre and to the outlying areas and neighbouring recreational and nature conservation areas.

A river in the middle of Hannover's city center holds the potential to be an inviting, green place where city dwellers enjoy spending time. Currently, valuable areas along the Leine's shores between the river and the Cityring are neglected and underused.

In pre-industrial times, the Leine and its tributaries were among the river systems in northern Germany which had the highest quantity of salmon. During industrialization and the resulting pollution of the water bodies many fish species have disappeared. The reduction of the fish stock is linked for example due to the construction of hydroelectric power plants and dams, and the large-scale river development carried out in the 20th century.

Numerous projects since the 1970s have restored and improved the water quality and the ecological connectivity. The renaturation of rivers is an important contribution to a resource-efficient and ecological city.

In the confined spaces of a city, a particularly large number of different demands are placed on water bodies. However, numerous potentials along the Leine remain unused in the inner city. Further, the canalization and urbanization of the stream only allows to a limited extend the return of flora and fauna to the city. Renaturalised rivers in the city can help to cushion the effects of climatic changes. For example, riparian areas can be integrated into flood protection by retaining the water during periods of extreme rainfall. In addition, the design addresses urban planning goals, such as making the river shores more attractive and easily accessible for the citizens.

Since the Leine is an urban river, it ought to be addressed both in ecological as well as in social terms. Various interventions along the riverbank serve to revitalize and enhance the quality of life. The key part of the project are the renaturation of shore opposite to the "Hohes Ufer", the reduction of the cityring and the fish ladder. In these areas, new habitats for flora and fauna are created along with new places and functions for recreation. The fish ladder close to the Friederiken Bridge, will enable the connectivity and improvement of existing habitats and it will increase the visibility of the Leine in the city as a unique selling point.

The concept for the renaturation of the Leine was presented on the 29the of September 2022 with the Leinewelle e.V. and Angler Association and published in the Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung (HAZ), among others.

As one of Albania's most important natural sites, the area of ​​the water spring of "Blue Eye" (Albanian: Syri i Kaltër) has been endangered by tourism for years. Our master plan is the attempt to manage "Blue Eye" sustainably and to prepare it for the expected increase in tourism. The integral strategy protects the natural monument while at the same time releasing its full socio-economic potential. This is achieved through various interwoven strategies, such as diversifying the local offering.

The immediate area of this rare, almost unreal place is a natural monument characterized by sycamore and oak trees. With the ambitions to improve the local infrastructure for sustainable yet more intensive tourism, we developed an integral strategy for spreading the load of visitors during peak season throughout the year by providing yearly services and activities. By introducing new ways of accessing the Blue Eye Monument, we create different scenarios, points of view and vibes (hiking trails, boat trips and a family path). The program is rounded off with a visitor centre, local product shop, camping facilities and a newly developed cultural and social agenda, proposing the possibility of organizing festivals and local markets close but not right next to the Blue Eye. All of that to stimulate the unique character and potential of the area while keeping the nature intact. 

The result is a natural phenomenon, unique on a global scale and protected for future generations.

The rural south of Albania is gifted with a spectacular coastline, unspoiled natural areas, and rich cultural heritage. Travel is an important driver of the economic development of Albania. However, developments of the past 20 years have been haphazard and do not match the touristic potential of the region. Being part of the Albanian Government initiative of 'Urban Rebirth', the main objective of this project was the regeneration of the waterfronts of the villages Jalë and Dhërmi. Starting from the outstanding natural beauty of both locations, our aim was to structure and strengthen the coastline and connect it with its surroundings, both physically as well as ideally.

In Jale this included freeing the main promenade from car traffic, providing basic infrastructures such as benches, bins, showers and fountains, but keeping the promenade at a low profile, seeking a continuation with the beach. As the beach is very deep and the bay mainly attracts the younger generations, we have been inspired by some of the existing beach-bars that were embedded in rich flowering gardens. Between the beach and the promenade, we have provided a strip of gardens housing 6-7 beach-bars, each with a stable structure to survive the harsh storms in winter. The bars come in three different sizes and allow for all furniture to be stored inside during the cold season.

Photography: Lucas Hardonk

Lagodekhi Protected Areas (LPA) in the extreme north-eastern part of Georgia at the southern slopes of the Caucasus and with altitudes from 590 to 3500 m, is one of the world's best-preserved areas with diversity of natural landscapes. The project of developing a TreeTop Trail as a new touristic product is to attract more visitors and, considering the transboundary potential of the LPA, make it one of the most attractive destinations, to be included in future transboundary ecotourism products.

The concept emphasizes the forest as the protagonist and proposes a minimalistic design, a circular shaped trail that gradually ascends towads the tree canopies. Additional program is added in order to enhance the experience of forest. This includes a watch tower, a dome, a large net, a cave, and multiple platforms.

„Think about people first, then about traffic routes. A good city is like a good party. People stay there longer than necessary because they feel good." This quote from Danish urban planner Jan Gehl sums up our planning understanding of the Parkway well.

The Parkway is a place that is finely networked, that relates building and open space uses in a variety of ways, and that actively supports climate resilience. A green and diverse space that constantly links the opposites of MOBILITY and DISTURBANCE. Due to the valuable and spatially defining existing trees in the Patrick Henry Village as a starting point, the route was designed in such a way that as many woody plants as possible are preserved. Rainwater is stored in swales, infiltration trenches and rain gardens as a valuable resource, benefiting plants and groundwater. The paved areas are reduced to a minimum and designed as light-coloured surfaces.

The paving material is a newly developed and market-introduced climate stone which absorbs rainfall and can evaporate as much water as a meadow surface (50% instead of 11% to 18% as with conventional paving stones).
The Parkway fulfils the function of a linear park with a high quality of open space, encounter and stay, serves as an inner and outer distributor for the Patrick Henry Village and provides a safe framework for a broad variety of urban mobility types.

How to raise a dike in an innercity environment?

Nexus, from the Latin 'nectere', means a "connection or series of connections linking two or more things". Marconiplein is, indeed, at the crossroad of different flows: not only mobility but ecology, water protection, development.

Our vision is rooted in the understanding of this space as a complex node, where traditionally, absolute priority has been given to transport. Our proposal aims to invert the paradigm of Marconiplein as a space - a sum of several leftover spaces- defined by infrastructures, but rather, addressing high-quality public spaces first, where infrastructural strategy follows. The design of the new square will be led by the principle of unveiling. If in history, infrastructures - considered as a major source of disruption - have been buried, hidden and elevated, technological progress and accurate urban solutions, offer now the opportunity of reconnecting to infrastructures.

Specific solutions will range from sloping squares, new vertical cross-views, increased number of entrances, fostering the square as a seamless public space, where infrastructure is no more perceived as separated from the city.