Shibei, Qingdao

Project Background

The project spans from the Zhangcun River section of Heilongjiang Middle Road in the north to the Wenzhou Road section of Haipo River in the south, encompassing the waterfront public areas along Licun River, Haipo River, and the eastern coast of Jiaozhou Bay, with a total waterfront shoreline of approximately 20 kilometers. Against the backdrop of the local government’s goal to revitalize the old city, enhance urban quality, and promote its renewal through the development of waterfront public spaces, this initiative serves as a key strategy.

Collaborative Planning & Community Engagement

The design team and project stakeholders engaged in in-depth discussions and reflections. Through on-site surveys, public questionnaires, interviews, and other interactive methods, they sought to deeply understand residents' needs and aspirations, clarifying the challenges the public space design must address. Drawing inspiration from the highly abstract, poetic spatial composition of traditional Chinese urban design, the plan aims to create an ecological waterfront space that integrates leisure, fitness, social interaction, and event gatherings while evoking locals' historical memories and fostering a sense of identity and social cohesion.

Ecological Resilience & Climate-Responsive Design

To protect and respond to the coastal climate and ecological characteristics, the design incorporates multi-layered waterfront public activity zones and plant communities. Accounting for tidal and climatic variations, it establishes diverse elevations and forms for waterside activity spaces, along with thoughtfully selected native, weather-resistant vegetation. This approach highlights the natural coastal features, forming a resilient, low-maintenance, and sustainable coastal ecosystem.

Design Strategy – The "Eight Scenic Parks" Waterfront Concept

The "Eight Scenic Parks" design philosophy is rooted in an interpretation of Qingdao’s natural geography and modern history. Proposing "Eight Great Parks in the North, Mirroring the Eight Great Passes in the South," the vision transforms the waterfront into a linked emerald necklace along Jiaozhou Bay’s eastern shore. This system fosters local pride while creating an interconnected, accessible, multi-level, and diverse open-space network, significantly elevating the city’s quality of life.