Among the numerous “central parks” constructed in Shanghai in recent decades, many are aesthetically beautiful and photogenic, but few address the challenges of urban dwelling and the current mental health crisis.
150 years ago, Frederick L. Olmsted introduced an innovative landscape to ameliorate New Yorker’s physical wellness from polluted air, noise, and flood. Similarly, this proposal is taking a user-centric approach to create a unique and primary open space that will serve Shanghai’s local communities.
We imagine Hyper City Central Park, to become an urban sanctuary that will relieve physical and mental stresses in light of the recent increase in mental health issues, particularly young finance and tech professionals, across China’s urban population.
Hyper City is located in Pudong District, where a network of open spaces, ecological corridors, and recreational greenways thread most areas. However, the site falls in a void of the system, and desperately needs to be woven into the existing network. Today, the site is juxtaposed by residential blocks and dispersed manufacturing workshops.
The future Hyper City will accommodate a substantial influx of young professionals in the finance and tech industry in its CBD and CTD, as a new service hub of the metropolis guided by the master plan. Sited in the core of Hyper City, the new central park will connect the district to the larger eco-network, improving the mental and physical wellbeing of its users from existing communities and future populations.
The proposal took a comprehensive sustainable design approach. The primary focus is to create a continuous canopy with a delightful ambiance. By introducing native species and habitats, the forest would restore local flora and fauna biodiversity.
Configurations of the forest canopy and topography will reorient seasonal winds to improve outdoor comfort in the summer and winter, while stormwater amenities allow the park to collect and filter runoff on site. The forest will reduce temperatures by 0.7-1℃ to counteract heat island effect.
Social sustainability is also core to the project. Universal accessibility and diverse programs welcome all user groups, while curated spaces inspired by nature and social interaction offer physical and mental healing experiences throughout the site.
The proposal for Hyper City Central Park is focused on improving urban dwellers’ overall well-being through the healing power of nature and social interaction. Juxtaposed to the CTD and CBD districts, this urban oasis has great potential to become an urban sanctuary relieving the physical and mental stress of surrounding communities.
Enlightened by socialization and nature healing theories, the proposal framed the park with three distinct design elements to create a cohesive experience:
The Forest for Rest is an 8-acre urban oasis that introduces the healing experience while offering substantial environmental and ecological value. Its continuous canopy will visually set the park apart from its high-density urban context.
The Venue for Urban Gala is strategically positioned for social interactions. Along the dynamic urban corridor accentuated by the presence of three cultural centers, curated spaces such as the Stage, the Seesaw, and the Garden Carousel offer respite from daily routine and an inviting place for people to interact and unwind.
The Sanctuary for Nature Healing offers opportunities to immerse in nature for contemplation, introspection, and mindfulness, as well as daily fitness. Paths and viewpoints allow undisturbed dialogues between nature and self. Installations such as the Outlook, the Yoga Platform, and the Swirl are designed to foster profound experiences of self-discovery and rejuvenation.
This proposal is a manifestation of future urban parks that will address wellness. It has received positive feedback from both the client and the architect involved in the Hyper City complex, declaring that the proposal is innovative and inspirational. Presented at the 2023 Public Landscape Forum in Shanghai, the proposal has inspired discussions among design professionals, academics, and park managers around the vital role of public spaces in human health and contemporary lifestyles.
At Sasaki, we believe defining the future of place must be a collective, contextual, and values-driven exercise. We all have a stake in this work.
For seventy years, Sasaki has brought together the best of architecture, interior design, planning and urban design, space planning, landscape architecture, and civil engineering to shape the places in which we live. Out of our Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, and Shanghai offices we are defining the contours of place and redefining what’s possible along the way. Today, we are a diverse practice of over 300 professionals who share a singular passion for creating authentic, equitable, and inspiring places.
Shanghai Jinqiao (Group) Co. Ltd. is a real estate services company offering housing renovation, housing loans, real estate brokerage, property management, and other services. Shanghai Jinqiao (Group) also operates in investment businesses.
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