Page 59 - Designing Ways 264

Transform an urban dumping ground
into an island-jeweled lake
Inspired by the ancient concept of
farming atop marshland, and by simple
cut-and-fill techniques such as the Aztec
Chinampas, or floating garden system,
the coal ash dumped on site was recycled
and mixed with dirt from the fish pond
dykes to create numerous islets.
At the same time, a lake able to
accommodate two metres (6.5 feet) of
water-level rise was created, providing
the capacity to catch a full 1 million cubic
metres of stormwater inflow.

A flood-adapted forest at the heart of the
Park
Inspired by Poyang Lake’s native
monsoon - flood - adapted marsh
landscape, the firm selected tree species
that are able to survive fluctuating water
levels, including Taxodium distichum,
Taxodium distichum var. imbricatum
and Metasequoia glyptostroboides.
Because fluctuating water levels often
expose barren muddy shorelines,
perennial and annual wetland plants
were planted along the shorelines and
island edges, and lotus plants provide
highly efficient lake cover.

A recreational waterfront where the city
and nature meet
The central forest on the water, which
is submerged during the annual monsoon

dw • Issue 264 59