DIVERCITY – NATURE DRIVEN URBANIZATION IN CHISHI RIVER OF SHENSHAN

DIVERCITY Chishi River Master Plan, the winning entry out of 37 entries from 12 countries, tackles the complex task of how to extend Shenzhen eastward and urbanize the ecologically and culturally precious Chishi River Basin, preserving biodiversity and cultural heritage while ensuring climate resilience for a future city. After extensive research into ecology, landscape topology, river hydrology and culture, DIVERCITY proposes comprehensive strategies covering the whole watershed. A blue-green framework ensure the climate resilience of the new city with 1.5 million population, meanwhile enriching biodiversity and natural river features, e.g. mangrove marshes in Chishi’s precious intertidal wetlands. Traditional villages and the entire landscape that sustains their livelihoods are preserved in the form of community-owned and run ‘Agricultural Parks’ – a source of local food and recreational routes for new urban dwellers. Unlike the previous urbanization models of Shenzhen , ‘Nature-Driven Urbanism’ is applied along the 37km of Chishi river: urbanisation patterns are based on the natural properties of the landscape, creating healthy and inspiring urban living environments where nature and culture are never far.