Zigong Dongzingsi Waterfront Park

Located in Zigong of the Sichuan Province, the Dongxingsi Precinct Waterfront scheme transforms a once-neglected riverfront into a dynamic public realm. Reconnecting the city with the Fuxi River, the river promenade integrates with a residential complex, introducing a series of gardens and civic spaces in the process.

As a result of the project the site was given a new identity, reinventing itself from being a once a polluted and disconnected embankment to a striking civic destination that invites residents and visitors. The design reclaims the riverfront as a multifunctional public landscape that supports festivals, cultural events, and everyday leisure, including Zigong’s iconic Lantern Festival and traditional dragon boat races.

At the heart of the project lies a narrative-driven design that weaves together local heritage and mythology. Inspired by the powerful symbol of the dragons, and Zigong’s renowned dinosaur fossil discoveries, the landscape features sculptural terraces with forms that echo dinosaur ribs. These elements serve both aesthetic and structural purposes, stabilizing the steep slopes while referencing the region’s historical significance.

Curvilinear landforms extend the natural topography, creating an immersive riverfront experience where the movement of people mirrors the fluidity of the river itself. A terraced promenade with integrated steps and ramps ensures inclusive access, even during fluctuating water levels. Timber platforms extend toward the river’s edge, encouraging tactile engagement with the water and framing ever-changing views.

Sustainability is embedded in several layers of the scheme. The park incorporates a comprehensive water-sensitive design strategy, including sponge landscapes, rain gardens, and floating wetlands. These systems manage storm water on-site, whilst mitigating flood risks, and enhance biodiversity. Water flows are not only controlled but celebrated, feeding sculptural streams, cascading pools, and bioengineered wetlands that clean runoff before returning it to the river.

Zigong Dongxingsi is more than an urban revitalization, it is a convergence of culture, ecology, and innovation. By drawing from the city's rich history while addressing its environmental future, the project has established a new benchmark for waterfront regeneration and civic placemaking in China.