Guangzhou Panyu Waterfront

Guangzhou Panyu Waterfront

In September 2021, TLS was invited to participate in the landscape design solicitation for the public space on the South Bank of the Back of Pearl River in Guangzhou (Guangzhou International Science and Technology Innovation City Section). This project, organized by the Guangzhou Municipal Planning and Natural Resources Bureau, Panyu District Branch, Guangdong Association for Territorial Spatial Ecological Restoration and commissioned by Guangzhou Yuechuang Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. and Guangzhou Bi Ke Smart City Development and Construction Investment Co., Ltd., spans a 9.4km stretch with a total area of 90 hectares, including a 730m and 5.7ha demonstration section.

TLS’s concept, “Original Reef Along Pearl River,” draws inspiration from the dynamic interplay between hard hills and soft shoals of the river delta. The design incorporates constantly shifting wet shoals and habitats where tides flow, in dynamic tension  with emergent stone outcrops and ridges that have persisted  over thousands of years. The landscape features a series of new stone outcrops  extending to the water’s edge, as reef jetties and linear ridges, promoting new habitat  with diverse aquatic and wetland spaces and habitats. These reef piers also serve as pedestrian bridges, connecting roads and rivers, and dividing the landscape into “rooms” that accommodate various functions. Each reef pier includes a small boat berth and serves as a potential ferry stop, while the spaces between reefs provide habitats for local organisms like oysters, contributing to water purification and promoting aquatic life.

The project aims to create a vibrant waterfront destination that drives regional development. To achieve this, TLS proposes a dual-axis linkage strategy: the Tech Axis and the Nature Axis. These axes reflect the dynamic intersection of rigidity and softness in Panyu’s landscape. The design integrates ecology, culture, education, art, and technology, forming six distinct zones. Emphasizing connectivity, the design incorporates a smart transportation network and a slow traffic system that links the zones to surrounding cities and the Greater Bay Area.

Panyu, known as the Shiqiao Terrace with a rich history spanning thousands of years, finds new life on the “Original Reefs.” TLS preserves the Lingnan narrative by reshaping the hills and waterfront while establishing a hub for cutting-edge technology. Guangzhou is poised to lead as a world-class urban waterfront, showcasing its cultural heritage and embracing innovation.