Green Masterplan for Tianjin Expansion of Into the Sea
Tianjin is China’s main import harbour. The population of the area surrounding the port, the Tianjin Economic Development Area (TEDA), is expected to increase by more than 200,000 over the next 10 years. The Dutch consultancy DHV has won, together with de Architekten Cie., the international competition for the reclamation of 43 km2 of land from the Bohai sea through an innovative masterplan in which the city, nature and water are held in equilibrium. The project has been presented during Aquaterra, last week in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
The plan is based on the delta concept and contains typical elements such as ebb and flow, islands, varied nature, ponds and (urban) waterfronts. A square enclosure dam around the area provides for high-water protection, prevents the drying out of a large muddy area during low tide, and renders the area resistant to climate change. Locks in the dam allow for tide control and guaranteed water quality. The dam also renders an adapted Dutch polder concept possible with a lower, and thus cost-saving, ground level.
The new area consists of islands that can be built in a flexible fashion, so that the resulting waterfront can be up to five times larger than that produced by complete land reclamation. This extra water-frontage brings with it a significantly higher land price thus strengthening the project’s economic feasibility.
The masterplan accommodates the demands of urban and economic growth, as well as the need for a clean and sustainable living environment. It also incorporates innovations in the areas of construction, environmental protection, water management, architecture and civil engineering. The Bohai sea is characterized by a tide variation of 3m, a considerable level of salinity and pollution. Nevertheless, DHV and de Architekten Cie. have succeeded in designing a high-quality area for living, working, recreation and relaxation.
