Jiaxing Station Park

Project Statement

Envisioned as "a station in nature," the project has transformed the congested street level of declining urban core into a lush, vibrant park, while relocating multi-modal transit system underground. By integrating green infrastructure atop transport infrastructure, the park has established a new model for creating future Transit Oriented Districts (TODs) to promote innovative urban revitalization.

The once vehicle-centric district has been rejuvenated into a thriving public realm, alive with commuters, visitors and the city's diverse communities. With green space increased from 25% to 73%, the project has boasted a significant ecological footprint, effectively reducing heat island effect, filtering stormwater, and enhancing biodiversity.

 Project Narrative

Conceived as "a station in nature," Jiaxing Station Park was established as a catalyst for Transit Oriented Districts (TODs) in the ever-evolving urban fabric. Over the past few decades, the Jiaxing station area, a traditional urban core of 35.4 hectares, has experienced long-term urban decay, low walkability, heavy traffic congestion, degraded environments and poor air quality. The railway and Chengdong Road divide the city and cut through communities, with disorganized parking lots to the north and deteriorating industrial brownfields to the south.

Through close multidisciplinary collaboration, an innovative design has been implemented, transforming the congested street level into a vibrant park and relocating the multi-modal transit system underground. This thoughtful and multi-layered transformation is elegant and highly functional, representing a seamlessly integrated work of landscape, architecture, urbanism, and engineering.

The project reimagined the unwelcoming, hardscape-dominated spaces into a much-needed park by increasing green space coverage from 25% to 73%. Given the constraints of the underground structure, the landscape design comprises three transitional parts: the urban forest of the old People's Park, the tree-lined space of North Plaza, and the perennial and grass-dominated rooftop of South Park.

With more than 1800 new trees, the park not only provides shade and sanctuary from the bustling city streets, but also mitigates urban heat island effects. Introducing 100% new native plants, the landscape creates wildlife habitats, significantly improving neighborhood green spaces and promoting resilience. The perennial-dominated rooftop park fosters thriving ecosystems where biodiverse native plants attract pollinators. 

In the south, rainwater and surface runoff are collected into a 540-ton storage tank to support on-site landscape irrigation. In the north, retention ponds are capable of retaining up to 2,000m³ of stormwater from the plaza and adjacent land during the monsoon season. Photovoltaic panels, covering 10,000m² on the roof, generate electricity and reduce an estimated 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. 

Enhanced neighborhood access at street level enables the park to become a multi-modal area with a pedestrian-oriented emphasis, integrating transportation and recreation systems such as bike paths, jogging trails, and public transit. The park features a diverse range of flexible, multi-functional spaces designed to accommodate various events and programs such as markets and festivals. These activities foster economic growth and cultivate a sense of community within the surrounding neighborhood.  

The park showcases civic and cultural spaces deeply rooted in the city's history. Abundant designed spaces beneath the woodland canopy offer neighbors the opportunity to engage in traditional activities such as Taiji, Kung Fu, singing, playing musical instruments, playing Go and Chinese chess, and writing calligraphy on the ground, especially during the hot summer months. The tree-lined plaza becomes a favorite space for locals to engage in square dancing, festival gatherings, as well as for students to join the English corner. The rooftop park is the first in the country to offer visitors a unique experience of overlooking the bustling train platform.

The park breathes new life into the declining city hub by bringing back nature and creating high-quality public spaces, making Jiaxing a more livable city.

Sustainability Criteria 

UNSDGs:

Environmental Sustainability

• Goal 13 (Climate Action): The project integrates 10,000m² of photovoltaic panels, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 1,000 tons annually. Additionally, the increase in green space helps mitigate the urban heat island effect, contributing to climate resilience.
• Goal 15 (Life on Land): By introducing 100% native plants and creating habitats for pollinators, the park enhances biodiversity and fosters thriving ecosystems.

Water and Infrastructure Management

• Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): In the south, rainwater and surface runoff are collected into a 540-ton storage tank to support on-site landscape irrigation. In the north, retention ponds are capable of retaining up to 2,000m³ of stormwater from the plaza and adjacent land during the monsoon season.
• Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The integration of green infrastructure with transport systems represents innovative urban planning, setting a benchmark for Transit Oriented Districts.

Urban Development and Community Well-being

• Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The transformation of a vehicle-centric district into a pedestrian-friendly park improves walkability, reduces pollution, and enhances the quality of urban life.
• Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The vibrant public spaces encourage physical activities like jogging, cycling, and traditional cultural practices, promoting health and community engagement.
• Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Flexible spaces for markets and festivals foster local economic activities and social cohesion.

Cultural and Educational Opportunities

• Goal 4 (Quality Education): The park’s multifunctional spaces, including those dedicated to cultural practices and informal learning opportunities (e.g., English corners), support lifelong learning and intercultural dialogue.