Back to a Water City search for a sustainable living typology in new developed area of Huzhou City

PROJECT REPORT

Qi LU (1530984) Studio: Urban Climate Master of Urbansim Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands Mentor: Ir. Marjolein van Esch (Environmental Design) Ir. Willem Hermans (Urban Design) Prof. ir. Dirk Sijmons (Environmental Design) Date: Jun 22th . 2010 2 Content

Part I .Research Question

1. General Introduction------1 2. Problem Statement------3 3. City System Analysis------5 4. Aim and Strategy------17 5. Research Question------19

Part II Theoretical and Site Research

6. Water System------21 7. Climate Adaptive Measures------35 8. Urban Structure------43 9. Open Space & Water Culture------61

Part III Planning and Design

10. Regional Scale------63 11. Pedestrian Pocket Scale------67 12. Community Scale------73

Part IV Refl ection

13. Evaluation------95 14. Acknowlegement------99 15. Reference------101

3

Part I Research Question

1. General Introduction 1.1 Location (1) 1.2 General Information (1)

2. Problem Statement (3)

3. City System Analysis 3.1 Impact of Climate Change (5) 3.2 Impact of Urban Development (7) 3.3 Main Changes of physical characteristics and possible intervention (13) 3.4 Conclusion (16)

4. Aim and Strategy 4.1 Aim of Project (17) 4.2 Strategy (17)

5. Research Question (19) 2 1. General Introduction 1. General Introduction

1.1 Location

The City of Huzhou locates in the Yangtze Delta Metropolitan area of China. This Delta area is one of the most developed areas in China. It covers only 1% of the total area of China but houses 6% of the national population and produces 16% of total GDP (Chen et al., 2001).

Changzhou

Wuxi

Yixing Suzhou Taihu Lake

Huzhou Jiaxing

Yangtze Delta Metropolitan Taihu Catchment Six Cities around Taihua Lake Map: Location of Huzhou City

However, the rapid economic development also brings many negative impacts to the city, such as the huge consumption of energy, pollution, loss of traditional culture, etc. These changes also increase the impact of the global warming and become big threat for future development. Among these problems, water pollution is the most serious one faced by the whole region.

Huzhou lies in the central part of Yangtze Delta metropolitan area, It takes 160km to Shanghai, 75km to Hangzhou, 220km to Nanjing, and 200km to Ningbo.

1.2 General information

The whole municipality of Huzhou City covers an area of 5818km2, with a population of 5.8million. Taihu Lake lies on its north-east and West Tianmu Mountain sits on its south-west.

I chose Huzhou to develop my project because it locates at the upstream area of Taihu Catchment and have a big environmental impact for the neighboring cities. It's also because that a big urban expansion is already planned by the government. How to expand the city in a more sustainable way becomes an urgent question for both Huzhou city and the whole region.

Yangtze River

220km 160km Taihu Lake

H Huzhou Municipality 75km 200km Hangzhou Bay

West Tianmu Mountain

Map: Strategic location in Yangtze delta Metropolitan Map: Landform of Huzhou Municipality (Chen et al., 2001) (Dumont and Qin, 2008) 1 The municipality consists of 2 Districts and 3 Counties. The municipality center is located in Wuxing District near Taihu Lake. The new urbanization according to City Plan (2003-2020) will takes place between Wuxing and Nanxun District Centers.

Taihu Lake

Wuxing Districtrict NanxunNanxun DistrictDiss

Map: Location of Wuxing and Nanxun Districts

Wuxing District (860km2) and Nanxun District(706km2) used to be one whole District, and was just divided into two Districts in 2003. They have a close historic relationship, and will again be connected spatially into the so called "Central Urban Area" according to City Plan (2003-2020). I will mainly focus on this area due to its huge potential threats and opportunities.

WWuxinguxing

NNanxunanxun

Map: CIty Plan (2003-2020) for Central Urban Area (Huzhou Municipality, 2003)

2 2. Problem Statement 2. Problem Statement

The dense water network is the most important identity for Huzhou City.

In the ancient times, all the cities and villages organized themselves along the river network, all the activities used to rely on the water.

Typical Water City Scenery in the region (Yumo, 2009)

Now, the urban expansion and densification have completely changed the relationship between water and urban space. Water is no longer the organizer of the urban space but one landscape element inside the city. Moreover, due to water pollution and fl ood risk, which is caused by urban development and climate change, water issue becomes a big problem for the city.

City Center of Huzhou (Seng lin zhong de mao, 2009)

This problem may become even worse because according to the City Plan (2003-2020), The constructed area in the "Central Urban Area" will increase from 62km2 to 116km2, and the population will increase from 0.58 million to 1 million. Only two ecological corridors in the current rural area will be preserved to connect with Taihu Lake. Large area of paddy land and wetland

3 will be replaced by housing development. This change will again have a huge impact on the city system, especially the water defense capacity and water quality of Huzhou city.

Wuxin (City Center of Huzou) Nanxun

2km 6km 20km

Historic City Center 1983 1990 2003 2020 Map: Change of Urban Scale (illustrated by author according to City Plan (2003-2020))

As a city located in delta area, Huzhou already experienced a series of negative effects from global warming. The city has two important tasks at this stage: to solve the water problems brought by urban development and climate change; and to decrease its negative impact on global warming.

My project will mainly focus on this new residential area, to see how to develop a sustainable living typology by re-achieving the good relationship between water and city.

4 3. City System Analysis

3. City System Analysis

In order to find the most suitable intervention and further define my research question, the city system is analyzed as a whole to see the infl uences of climate change on the city and measures to be taken.

Scheme: infl uences of climate change on the city and measures to be taken (Source: Studio Reader)

For the situation of Huzhou, climate change and urban development are two independent causes but interact with each other and caused larger physical changes in the city system. As a result, the scheme are modifi ed into the below one for analyzing Huzhou.

Urban development Climate Change

physical characteristics adaptation

use and functions mitigation

Scheme: infl uences of climate change and urban development in Huzou

3.1 Impact of climate change

3.1.1 Main character of climate in Huzhou

Huzhou has a typically semi-tropical climate. There are four clearly different seasons in one year. The rain season comes in the hot summer. The yearly precipitation is 761-1780mm. Average humidity is higher than 80%. 11-14 days will go above 35 degrees in summer. The daily temperature difference can reach 9.9C. (Huzhou Meteorological Bureau, 2009)

30 250

25 200

20 150

15

100 10

50 5

0 0 123456789101112 123456789101112 Average temperature per month (C) Average rainfall per month (mm) (Huzhou Meteorological Bureau, 2009) (Huzhou Meteorological Bureau, 2009) 5 3.1.2 Main changes in climate

For Huzhou City, the climate change are mainly obeserved in four aspects:

1.The summer becomes hotter and drier. Except for the global rise of average temperature, another important reason is bai-u rain season comes earlier. Since rain is important for mitigating the hot weather in summer, this change makes the gap between two rain seasons 10 days longer than in average, and makes the summer even hotter and drier.

2.The city experienced several abnormally cold days in winter, and disastrous weather in the winter also increased. By disastrous weathers, I mean snow storm, hailstone, ect.

3.Thirdly, the rain is more concentrated. For example, in June 2008, 90% of rain in bai-u rain season was concentrated in 5 days. 27th June got 86.8mm rainfall in one day. This can be a big threat for the fl ood defense system.

4.Finally, the acid rain becomes one serious problem for the city. The rate of acid rain reaches 73.8-88% in plain area and 100% in the mountains.

The above information comes from the Annual Climate Report (2008) on Huzhou Climate Website (the offi cial website of Huzhou Meteorological Bureau). It shows that Huzhou is trapped in a vicious circle: the climate change increases the consumption of air-condition and the investment for water safety; large energy consumption again accelerates the climate change.

June July August Typhoon Rain Season Bai-u Rain Season Dry Season average 2008

Scheme: Distribution of rain season in summer (Illustrated by author according to Annual Climate Report 2008 by Huzhou Meteorological Bureau)

Average temperature per day (July,2008) Average temperature per day (January,2009) (Huzhou Meteorological Bureau, 2008) (Huzhou Meteorological Bureau, 2009)

6 3.2 impact from urban development

3.2.1 Increase of urban scale

Before 1983, the city kept in the original scale which was formed in the Yuan Dynasty. People were able to reach every place by walk. Small expansion took place during 1983-2003, but people were still able to go work and shopping within average of 10 minutes by bike.

However, after a rapid expansion beginning in 2003, most culture facilities, such as high schools, cinemas, libraries, and museums are relocated into the new developed area 4.5km from the old city center. It makes diffi cult for children to reach the cultural facilities in a short time. Many companies and factories also moved to the suburbs for larger space. People have to use buses and cars to commute. These changes highly increased the energy consumption.

Wuxin (City Center of Huzou) Nanxun

2km 6km 20km

Historic City Center 1983 1990 2003 2020 Map: Change of Urban Scale (illustrated by author according to City Plan (2003-2020))

7km cultural center 4.5km

train station

commercial center

central bus station

Map: New Distribution of Urban Functions (illustrated by author according to City Plan (2003-2020)) 7 3.2.2 Change of urban typology

Along with the increase of urban scale, the urban density also increased fantastically during the past decades. The low rise streets along the river are replaced by middle rise or high-rise residential blocks. Water is imported from rivers into the pools in residential block or concentrated park. More over, in order to support the activity with large amount of people, many spacious lawns and squares are designed instead of traditional gardens with lots of shadows. Although this new typology is popular at this moment and the new parks function well in the evening, the longer distance between house and public space and the lack of shadow make the public space empty in the day time. These again highly increased the consumption of air-condition.

Low rise +river network Middle/ high rise+pool imported from river

plesant space in front of each house Concentrated big parks

Traditional garden with lots of trees New park with spacisou lawn, square

Photos of urban space in Huzhou City (Photo taken by author) 8 3.2.3 Water Pollution and less wetland for fl ood storage

Recent decades, Huzhou has a problem with finding a sustainable industry that stimulates the economy. In the past, it was famous for its silk, bamboo, fresh-water fi sh, rice and writing brushes. However, due to the change of global economic environment and its inferior location on railway network, it lost its superior position in traditional industry. Its GDP per capita has become one of the lowest in the Yangtze Delta area.

Now, the industry of printing and dyeing, papermaking, chemical industry, tannery, building material contributes to 30% of the total GDP, and takes 87% in the total amount of pollution. Sadly, the government can not completely truly this situation before fi nding the proper clean industry.

9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0

u i i u o n u g g g n u u u g u o a x o b ji o n n n a o o o n o h h u h g n h i i a h h h h o h z g z n a z x x ji s z z z t z u n W g i N g ia o n u u i g n i a n N n J a e o a n a a S h a a h h h H T a N T S H h S Z Z Y C

Comparison of average GDP per capita of cities in Yangtze Delta Area (2007) (Huzhou Statistics Bureau, 2008) When the Water Management Bureau of Zhejiang Province published the “Zoning for Water Function and Quality” in 2005, only 24.1% of water body in Huzhou meets the standard.

I

Water Quality Level I (best) III V II IV V-

Map: Water quality in each segment (2005) Map: Standard water quality for each segment (2020) (Water Management Bureau of Zhejiang Province, 2005) (Water Management Bureau of Zhejiang Province, 2005)

The government made a great effort on pollution problems during these years. Purification techniques of the polluting factories was improved, decentralized waste treatment facilities were constructed in the villages in the upstream area, high-polluting agricultural pesticides are forbidden, main rivers were cleaned frequently.

9 With this effort, in 2007, 56% of water body already meets the requirement of “Zoning for Water Function and Quality”, especially the two Tiaoxi Rivers from Tianmu Mountain, whose rate already reaches 80% and 87%. But the water network on Hang-Jia-Hu Plain is still very polluted, only 33.3% meets the requirement. It’s important to mention that the future urban expansion between Wuxin and Nanxun Districts will just take place in this area, so water pollution is a big problem for the future development. (Huzhou Water Management Bureau, 2007,2008)

Rivers in Changxing

Plain Water Network

West Tiaoxi East Tiaoxi

Total East Tiaoxi West Tiaoxi Plain Water Network Rivers in Changxing 2005: 24.1% 2006 45.5% 60% 69.6% 26.1% 33.3% 2007 56% 80% 87.0% 30.4% 38.5%

Main pollution NH3-N, MnO4- BOD NH3-N, P, BOD NH3-N, BOD, DO

V-, 4.50% V-, V-, 7% IV, 10% IV, 9% 17.40% II, 30% II, 32% IV, 14% II, 29% III, 44% V, 17%

III, 60% III, 55% III, 50% IV, 22%

Water pollution also has a big impact on drinking water. The government has constructed a new reservoir 28km away to replace the two original water sources just outside the city center. According to the plan, in 2020 two reservoirs 70km away in the mountain area will be used for drinking water supply as well. This change will result in an increase loss of water and energy during transportation.

Old drinking water resource: 2010: 2020: 2030: 28km 70km

Map: Location of drinking water source (illustrated by author according to text description on City Plan (2003-2020)

10 Flood risk is another water problem in this region. There are mainly two reasons for fl ood in Huzhou City, the Bai-u rain season and typhoon. The fl ood caused by Bai-u rain usually long lasting, and covers a big area; while the fl ood by typhoon is intense and concentrates in specifi c places. There are totally 20 times of fl ood during the past 60 years (Bureau of Hydrology in Huzhou, 2006)

Photo: Flood in Changxi after Typhoon Morakot (Changxi News Website Changxin, 2009)

During these years, the fl ood storage and rainwater retention capacity decreased quickly due to the urban expansion. From 2001-2004, the wetland decreased from 6237 hm2 to 3632 hm2 in Wuxing District, and from 6300-5016 hm2 in Nanxun District. (Yu, 2006).

At the same time, sluices and dikes are constructed in the downstream area in order to protect Shanghai from fl ooding. This project also increased the water defense pressure for Huzhou City.

Currently the cities around Taihu Lake are co-operating for a series of water defense projects. There are mainly two measures among these project. On one hand, it increase the hight of the dike around Taihu Lake and main rivers; on the other hand, it use the canals to outlet the water toward Yangtze River on the north and Hangzhou Bay on the south. (www.slsdgc.com.cn, 2009)

Huzhou mainly participates in the following projects: Dike aroung Taihu Lake, Dike along East Tiaoxi, Dike along West Tiaoxi, and Canal System to Hangzhou Bay. According to the plan, the government will totally construct 249.8km of dikes,114 sluices with total width of 620m, 12774kw pumping machines ,50 culverts and 12.7km ditches between 2005-2010. The total investment is 120 million euro. (Huzhou Water Management Bureau, 2005)

to Yangtze River

Dike around Taihu Lake

Dike along Tiaoxi Rivers

Map: Main water defense projects in Taihu Catchment Area (www.cjw.gov.cn, 2009) to Hangzhou Bay

11 3.2.4 New way of entertainment and loss of water culture.

With the increasing urbanization, many rivers are covered by roads. People no longer have an easy access to water. The deteriorating water quality makes rivers even more in-accessible.

On the other hand, the rapid development of the road network has completely replaced the role of waterway in passenger transportation. The change in infrastructure also provides many new options for entertainment, such as going to a theme park in another city during weekend; or going to big shopping mall after supper by shuttle bus.

Nowadays, the traditional water city scenery are disappearing quickly except some tourist spots. Along with it, the close relationship between neighborhoods, many folk arts and traditional festivals

3500

3000

2500

2000 road river 1500

1000

500

0 Chang of Passengers' amount in road and water transport (1978-2006) ( Huzhou Statistics Bureau, 2007)

Typical Water City Scenery in the region(Yumo, 2009)

Open space along river Folk Art Festival along river (photo taken by author) (Seng lin zhong de mao, 2009) (http://www.17u.com) 12 also disappeared.

Most importantly, people's awareness for protecting water through everyday life also lost. Now, people witnessed the deterioration of water quality and have the desire to improve the situation. However, due to the dis-connection with rivers, people no longer have the idea on how to contribute

As a result, the water culture is important for this region not only from the consideration of protecting cultural heritage, but also for the purpose of re-achieving a sustainable water cycle.

3.3 Main Changes of physical characteristics and possible intervention

Under the impact of climate change and urban development, the physical characteristics of Huzhou have changed a lot.

In order to understand the relationship between cause and change, and between different changes, the physical aspects of the city are divided into 6 layers: users, city metabolism, occupation, infrastructure, public space and underground. The layer of users mainly focuses on people, such as social structure, behavior and productivity. The layer of city metabolism focuses on the fl ows that run in and out of the city such as energy, water, waste, air. The layer of occupation mainly focuses on the buildings and constructions with different functions. The layer of infrastructure focuses on network and mobility of the city. The layer of public space focuses on the open space outside occupations such as living environment, nature. The layer of underground focuses on the element beneath earth like ground water, geology, soil.

Per layer, each with a certain dynamic and solving capacity, interventions can be decided on. These physical layers of the city are defi ned with the use of the layer approach (Hoog, Sijmons en Verschuuren 1998) and the layers defi ned by Heeling, Meyer & Westrik (2002).

The City system table of Huzhou (see on next page) shows the main changes of Huzhou in each layer and possible mitigating and adapting measures. The table divides the city system into 6 layers mentioned above; each layer will have several stocks according to the local situation. Firstly, the specifi c situation of Huzhou is demonstrated in “system” category. Then the “Threat” category shows the possible changes under climate change, such as fl ood, heat and drought. The category of “Vulnerability” and “Effect” shows the possible damage of this changes and the further result of the change. Finally, the category of “mitigation” and “adaptation” shows the measures that can be taken to reduce the damage.

13 The City system Table of Huzhou

Layer Stocks System Threat From fl ood, drought or heat Social structure Municipality: 439/km2 both city and village are rich enough for Wuxing District: 637/km2 big consumpiton of air-condition Feiying Area: 13173/km2 Migratants from other province due to The income between city and village: (2160:1075euro/y) natural disaster (average of Chian: 3.33:1) More poor people from other provinces

Social In old time, people love to stay in the shelter in front of doors, beside river and chat Hotter in summer behaviour After the change of urban typology, people choose to go out to park only after sunset colder in winter Users Productivity Huzhou is known as the City of Silk, is one of the Four Capital-cities of Silk in China. Abnormal climate during the year Textiles (especially Silk),building materials and agriculture.

Total GDP: 10.3 billion euro (2008) Hotter in summer 15th in 16 in Yangtze Delta (12th in 16 in GDP per capita)

Polluion industry: 30% in GDP, 87% in pollution Real-estate development for higher GDP

Energy Industry: 7680.34 kw*h, for life: 927.86kw*h (2006) Hotter in summer, colder in winter

Tianhuangping Hydrologic Power plant: 1/3 of the total electronic consumption for the whole municipality

There are no heating system provided in Huzhou Food 80% of its farmland are highly productive even during drought or fl ood. Hotter in summer The area of paddy land decreased to half since 1985 Many food come from fresh-water. Fish is the favourite food. But now the water pollution is a big problem Water (See Map 12) Huzhou is a city with dense water network. The main water resourse of Huzhou City is Xitiaoxi (West Tiaoxi), Dongtiaoxi Rise of sea level (East Tiaoxi) and Taihu Lake. As a typical plain network, the fl ow direction is not clearly defi ned. City So it’s mainly effected by the rain and land-use More concentrated rain in short period metabolism (87mm in one day) If fl ood come, the fl ooding sequence is farmland, village, town and city

Old drinking water resource are no longer available due to pollution, the government have to fi nd new recourse in the mountain area. Waste Industrial waste water: 98.62 million t, 95.64% harmless Drought Industrial solid waste: 2468.6 thousand t, 97.78% utilised Hotter in summer (2006)

Air Industrial waste gas: 181.2 billion m3 (70% from Changxing) Sour rain SO2: 58187t Soot: 15290t Dust is 45800t. Working Before 2002, the scale of city is 10 min by bike. Most people go to work by bike. More car use Now, many companies move to new developed area for spacious land. People have to use bus or car for work More use of buses

Living from low-rise to medium-rise or high-rise buildings. From traditional typology to widespread residential blocks., Longer time spent at home in the day time Occupation Facilities Due to the increase of fl ood risk, new dikes and sluices are constructed. higher fl ood risk The drinking water source move 23km further due to water pollution. hotter in summer Culture Museums and other cultural facilities are moved to new developed area 4.5km away from old city center. Children are more diffi cult to More air-condition in Summer (childern get there. stay at home) More reliance on bus and car

Mobility In the old city center, people use bike for various activities Flood will disturb mobility For other place, people use taxi and buses Tthe bus system is good but price for 3 person is equal as one taxi, taxi takes wherever you what. So family always choose taxi Hotter in summer

Network (See Map 13) Road is the main network, 5 express way run through Huzhou and connect it with the whole Yangtze Delta Metropolitan. Totally rely on the road network 2 national highway: 104(Beijing-Fujian), 318(Shanghai-Tibet) Infra structure Train station is 7km from city center. Only cargo trains and slow trains pass by there, so it has very limited impact on the city The hispeed train network in Yangtze Delta Metropolitan are planned. Three lines will connect Huzhou with Nanjing, Hanzhou, Jiaxing, Suzhou and Shanghai in very short time

The water network used to be main infrastructure network. Now it’s no longer used for passengers, but it still play the dominant role in cargo transportation. Huzhou Port is one of the four main river ports in China Living The small sheltered street space along the river is replaced by concentrated public space. Hotter in summer environment More spacious laws and squares with less shade than traditional garden are constructed, Colder in winter The parks are still crowded and lively in summer evening, but in daytime, people can only stay at home due to the hot, long way between home and park Culture (See Map 14) Traditional private garden: Lianhua Zhuang, Xiaolian Zhuang Sour rain Old bridges Water pollution Old streets along the river: Yishang Street, Xiaoxi Street Old temples, towers Public space Nature Mountain area:1067km2;it take 18.34%; abnormally higher temperature in the Hilly ground: 1801km2;it takes 30.96%; mountain area Plain:2950km2; it takes 50.70% more concentrated rain in mountain The highest mountain is 1587.4m. The plain area is 1.5m. area The mountains are covered by trees and bamboos. it’s important ecology resource for the city. rise of sea level The Taihu Lake is also extreamly important for the city. Due to urban expansion, water/wetland decreased to half in Wuxing District

Network The ground water in Huzhou only supplies 1% in total consumption Drought hotter in summer (See Map 15) No subsidizing problem due to geological reason

But the water pollution of Huzhou will increase the subsidizing speed in the neighboring cities such as Jiaxing Underground Soil conditions Main soil on plain: paddy soil Sour rain (average PH=4.4) Main soil in mountain(above 600m): red soil 14 paddy soil 2.8% soil is pH=4.6-5.5, 77.6% soil is pH=5.6-6.5, 19.42%soil is pH=6.6-7.5. It’s a good condition for agriculture Now the main threat is agriculture chemical Vulnerability Effect Application metigation What will be damaged? What is the result of this damage? Large energy consumption More heat, more damage to environmental problem Create better open space Create better open space

Social confl ict due to cultural difference Culture conmmunication activity Encourage more outdoor-activities

People change to stay in the house More air-condition use, more energy consumption smart building Create better open space green building Encourage friends stay together in holiday water storage in rain season Disturbance to the growing process of Less grain productivity Improve water purifi cation techonique of Find a clean supporting industry paddy pollution factories Increase water storage in residential area More green-blue algae pollution less fi sh productivity Clean water/river more paady land/wetland occupied lower water storage capacity

More air-condition use, more energy more damage to environmental problem green buliding Find other clean energy resource, such as sun consumption Water storage in rain season

More green-blue algae pollution less rice yield Clean water Less energy consumption less fi sh yield Pollution control poor quality of fi sh Find other food harm to health More risk for fl ood, Higher demand for More money and energy spent Water storage inside the city and suburban Water network in city used adjusting microclimate water defense system area Less agriculture yield Save water Bigger risk for farmland Water network in city used adjusting microclimate Government have to fi nd new water Move the people around water resource, Huge resource in up-stream area fi nancial investment and social problem Pollution control More blue-green algae Risk for drinking water and health Clean water Pollution control Water fl ow back from taihu to city (which Water storage in rain season has more polluted water)

Water pollution Risk for health Use plants or other ways to improve soil Pollution control Earth pollution Effect the quality of soil condtion Air pollution

More energy consumption more damage to environmental problem More buses to the suburban area Re-invite company into the old city center More houses around working area

More air-condition use, More energy consumption, less connection with water, public room in neighborhood for activites Creation of better public space less social communication More facilities for water defense More energy consumption Use new techniques in water defence More space for fl ood storage further drinking water source More fi nancial cost More energy consumption More heat, more damage to environmental problem encourage students of spend time together more culture facilties in the old city center

Loss of old campus with nice atmosphere

People use taxi when they feel too hot More energy consumption Invention of shelter that can be used on Make bus price lower the bike Make taxi price higher More people use car Traffi c jam in the ole city centre where roads are not Improve bus network prepared for so many cars more energy consumption More heat, more damage to environmental problem Improve the connection from city to train Construction of hi-speed train in the Yangtze-Delta Network station

Attract fast-train to stop in that station

Less people stay outside More energy consumption Traditional festivals to let people know Create cooler space outside the houses and increase social People only go to public space after Less street activity more tradition communication sunset for 1-2 hours Loss of tradition

Harm to cultural relics Loss of traditional culture Protection increasing people’s awareness of water and tradition Traditional scene along the river loses Clean water original charm pollution control Improve house condition More fl ood risk Higher requirement to the water defence system More water storage on plain area Save energy: Use water network for adjusting micro-climate in the city Disturbance to the eco-system

More water needed More subsidizing in neighboring cities due to Recharge ground water Control the pollution overcharge of ground water

Threat to water defense construction

The soil productivity decrease Less grain yield New type of paddy seed Control pollution 15 Improve soil condtion by vegetation or other ways 3.4 Conclusion

Through the previous analysis, we can see that the climate change mainly caused four impacts: hotter and drier summer, colder winter and disastrous weather, concentrated rainfall, and rise of sea level. While the urban development mainly caused four impacts: change of urban scale, change of urban typology, water pollution and less water storage, and loss of water culture.

These impacts inter-act with each other and mainly caused four changes in the city system: more car consumption, more time staying at home with air-condition, worse water quality, more flood risk. These impacts also resulted in more energy consumption and speed up the process of climate change.

Climate Change Urban Development hotter and drier in colder in winter concentrated Rise of water pollution, change of urban change of urban new way for entertainment summer more disastrous rainfall sea level less wetland for scale typology and fading of water culture weather fl ood storage

Physical Changes more car consumption more time staying at home worse more fl ood risk with air-condition water pollution

More pressure on water defense projects and water treatment plants

More energy consumption

Scheme: relationship between causes and physical changes in city

We can also see from the table that the water isssue is closely connected with the other aspects of the city. As a result, in order to re-achieve a good relationship between city and water, the new typology of living should deal with the four physical changes together.

16 4. Aim and Strategy 4. Aim and Strategy

4.1 Aim of project

Admittedly, the new urbanization will improve the living condition of the local residents and stimulate the regional economy. However, if it's carried out according to the current plan, this goal is achieved with a sacrifice of other important qualities such as water condition, flood storage capacity, local identity, traditional culture, etc.

Currently, the government has made great efforts for dealing with the potential threats and carried out a series of projects, such as water defense projects, river cleaning projects.

My project aims at adding new qualities to the existing living typology by using sustainable urbanization principals and reviving traditional ways. It's hoped that by doing so, the new urbanized area can become a more positive element in regional environment system and provide better quality for living at the same time.

4.2 Strategy

Since water is the key issue and main identity of this region. The starting point of my project is also the relationship between water and city.

There are mainly three aspects related to a good relationship between water and city: good water condition, more fl ood storage capacity, and lively urban life around water.

On the urban design scale as my project for new living area, there are mainly three possible strategies: firstly, the sustainable water system can be used for good water condition and flood storage. Then, pedestrian friendly urban structure and good space quality are two strategies for achieving lively urban life around water. For good space quality, except for the spatial considerations, pleasant micro-climate and thriving water culture can also be very important.

A Sustainable Living Typology Starting point: good relationship between water and city

Goal A.Good water B.More fl ood C Lively urban condition storage cappacity life around water

Strategies pedestrian and sustainale water bike friendly urban inviting open system structure space

pleasant micro- good spatical thriving water climate quality culture

Scheme: Main strategies for better relationship between water and city 17 18 5. Research Question 5. Research Question

Wuxing Nanxun Zhili

residential area urbanised area commercial area industrial area

Map: Defi nition of research site

My research site is the "to be urbanized" area between Wuxing District Center and Zhili Town, which will mainly be used for living. My research question is:

How to create a sustainable living typology on the new developed area, which has sustainable water system, pedestrian and bike friendly urban structure, and lively space with pleasant climate and thriving water culture?

For Each aspect, I will have several sub-questions for further research.

A. Sustainable Water System a. What can be the sustainable water cycle under the new situation? b. How to keep the fl ood storage capacity after urbanization? c. How can the urban space be fl exibly used under different water level?

B. Pedestrian and bike friendly urban structure a. How to create a pedestrian and bike friendly infrastructure network on multiple scales? b. How to create a pedestrian and bike friendly open space system on multiple scales?

C. Space Quality a. How to adjust the microclimate by urban typology, especially the role of water? b. What kind of quality should the open space have on each scale? c. How to preserve the regional identity and water culture through urbanization? What's its role in an environmental consideration?

19 20 Part II Theoretical and Site Research

6. Water System 6.1 Water Network on Site (21) 6.2 Water Cycle Model (25) 6.3 Eco-system around water (32)

7. Urban Structure 7.1 Public Transport System (35) 7.2 Pedestrian & bike System (39)

8. Open Space Quality 8.1 Climate Adaptive Measures (43) 8.2 Spatial quality of Open Spaces (51) 8.3 Regional Identity and Water Culture (55)

9 Summary (61)

6. Water System 6. Water System

Taihu Lake

Huzhou Municipality

Central Urban Area

Map: Water system of Huzhou City (Water Management Bureau of Zhejiang Province, 2005) 6.1 Water Network on Site

6.1.1 Location The research site belongs to Hang-Jia-Hu Plain Water Network. The area is almost fl at and the water direction is not fi xed during one year. It’s affected by the distribution of precipitation.

6.1.2 Water Quality Water Pollution is a regional problem for the Taihu Catchment Area. The research area also has a serious problem on this. There are mainly three sources for the pollution on the research site: the po

Best

I (best) III V II IV V-

Map: Distribution of Water Quality in Taihu Lake Map: Water quality on research site (2005) (Water Management Bureau of Taihu Catchment Area, 2009) (Water Management Bureau of Zhejiang Province, 2005) 21 pollution from surrounding rivers, the pollution from Taihu Lake, and the pollution on the site.

From the photos below were taken on February 19th, 2010 during my on site observation. We can see that the main rivers around the site are turbid but not smelly. The fl ow speed is high and its quality is highly affected by the upstream area.

The lakes and big pools have a good water quality and connectivity. It's now surrounded by fl ourishing wetlands and is the ideal site for fi shing. These parts of water has a slow fl ow speed but a big capacity for self-cleaning.

The small rivers in the villages or farmlands are the mostly polluted segments. They are covered by algae and rubbishes. The government river cleaning projects can't cover these small parts and choose to block it from the main rivers so it will not pollute other area. However, this again speed up the deterioration and totally changed the relationship between water and village. This part of water will be the main focus in my project

1. Main Rivers on site 2. Biigest lake on site (Xishanyang) 3. lakes along village 4,5. River in the village

12

345

Map: Water condition on research site (photo taken by author)

22 6.1.3 Flood Risk

In Chapter 3, I already mentioned a series of water defense projects by the whole region. While those projects focus on how to keep water out and speed up the outlet process; my project will focus on how to increase the water storage capacity on site as a balance.

In order to see the flood storage capacity of the research site, I calculated its possible yearly fl uctuation in the "close water system" model, and compared it with the real situation with infl ow and outfl ows.

INPUT DATA FOR REGION: Huzhou General data for the area Total area of the region: 100% 5610ha Unpaved area: 71% 4003ha Area of open water: 18% 1025ha Paved area 10% 582ha Percentage of water via paved 100% surface to unpaved surface: Luchtgehalte van de bodem in onverzadigde zone (zand=30%, 15% klei=15%, veen=10%): Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Year Rain 65 73 123 98 118 211 155 145 132 80 55 40 1,295 Evaporation in the region in mm: Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Year Unpaved 13 16 25 37 60 55 71 71 47 36 22 17 468 Paved 8 11 17 25 40 37 48 48 31 24 15 11 316 Water 4 6 8 11 16 15 19 19 14 11 8 6 136 Totaal 26 32 50 73 116 106 137 138 92 72 44 34 920 Total waterbalance of region in mm: Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Year Total in 65 73 123 98 118 211 155 145 132 80 55 40 1,295 Total out 31 39 60 88 138 127 164 165 111 86 54 41 1,105 Difference 34 34 63 10 -20 84 -9 -20 21 -6 1 -1 190 Shortage 0 0 0 0 20 0 9 20 0 6 0 1 57 Surplus 34 34 63 10 0 84 0 0 21 0 1 0 247 mm surplus in Total for the region in 247winter 13,829,531 m3: mm shortage in Total for the region in 57 3,179,402 summer m3: The shortage in summer has to be stored in the ground and in waterarea: 1,272,338m3 is to store in the ground m3 is to store in the 1,907,065 waterarea This seasonal storagecapacity leads to a maximum levelfl uctuation of: mm maximum 186groundwater level- fl uctuation. mm level-fl uctuation 186 open water.

23 Calculation of maximum levelfl uctuation in open fififififififififififififi waterarea from peak-shower: (normal = 40mm/24 hr, extreme = Peak-shower is: fifi 87 mm fifi fi 80mm/24 hr) Afvloeifactor verhard oppervlak (0=geen afvloeiing , 1 = volledige fififififi 0.90 fi is: afvloeiing) Afvloeifactor onverhard (0=geen afvloeiing , 1 = volledige fififififi 0.40 fi oppervlak is: afvloeiing) The direct levelfl uctuation by fifififififi fififififi 267mm this peak-shower is: fi fififififififififififififi To store Peakshowers (for peakshower once in ten years) fififififififififififififi the levelfl uctuation is: mm maximum levelfl uctuation in 94 fififififififi open water needed. fi fififififififififififififi Maximum waterlevelfl uctuation for peak-shower- and seasonal fifififififififififififi 295 storage in mm: fi fififififififififififififi Quantity of water leaving the fififififififififififififi region 0m3/yr leaving the region by sewage fififififififi 10,650,128m3/yr leving the region by canals fififififififi © 1994 SOM/TUDelft (dr. S.P. Tjallingii dr. ing. P.J. Van Eijk and ir. L.J.J.H.M. Gommans)

From the model we can fi nd that in a close water system, the maximum water level fl uctuation is 295 mm in one year.

However, according to the daily data on Huzhou Hydrology Website (Huzhou Water Management Bureau, 2009), the yearly fl uctuation with infl ow and outfl ows reaches 1400mm.

From the comparison we can easily see that the research area plays an important role in the regional system for water balance and flood storage. This quality should be preserved after the urban expansion.

From the close water system model we can also see that the peak storm fluctuation increases when the water or unpaved area decreases, while the seasonal level fl uctuation increases when water surface decrease, or un-paved area increase. That's because the un-paved area are able to hold more water on site. This principal can also be useful for research site.

2.5

2

1.5

1 sanliqiao chuanzha 0.5 xiaomeikou daqiaokou 0

n b r r y n l g p v c e a p a u e ct o e huanlou Ja F M A M Ju Ju A S O N D

Change of water level at main observation points on research site in 2009 (Illustrated according to data from Huzhou Hydrology Website) 24 6.2 Water Cycle Model

In order to find the best water cycle model for the research area, different types of water cycle model are studied.

6.2.1 Centralized Water Model

In this model, water supply and treatment are all concentrated on the city level. This is the most widely used model all over the world after urbanization. Now, all the area of Huzhou use this model for water supply and drainage.

However, this model has several main problems for the environment. First of all, it has a huge waste of water during transportation. Secondly, the combined sewage system cost unnecessary energy and has pollution to rivers by overflow and effluent. Finally, the sludge after treatment causes further pollution to groundwater and air by dumping-ground and incinerator.

Drinking water factory Waste of water& energy during transportation

Scheme: Current Centralized Water Model (Tjallingii, 1995)

25 6.2.2 Traditional Water Model in this region

Before 1960s, the traditional water cycle has been used in this region for hundreds of years. People highly rely on the canal network for various activities. The water in the canal is quite clean, even for drinking water, only a precipitation by Alum is needed.

Patio is important in a house. It collects rainwater for washing and preventing the fi re. The process of gathering the rainwater from the roof into the patio is seen as a symbol of holding treasure. Good drainage system is constructed under patios and streets. Only the rainwater goes into the drainage system and fl ows directly into river.

The dirty stuff from toilets is collected by boats and treated on the city level. The sludge after treatment is used for fertile soil on farmland. Moreover, the boats from villages come to the canals every year to to collect sludge for fertile soil, and this activity keeps the river clean.

Fertile Soil for farmaland Energy

TREATMENT- PLANT

(each spring)

canals

wash clothes Groundwater

Alum [KAl(SO4)2·12H2O]

Schem: Traditional Water Model in Huzhou City (Illustrated by author according to interview with local residents) 26 Plates above Rainwater Drainage System Outlet of Rainwater Drainage System to river

Abandoned jar in patio Roof above patio that allows all the rainwater fl ow freely into patio

Cover of well in patio Inside of well in patio Photos: Drainage facilities in traditional house (photo taken by author) 27 6.2.3 New De-centralized Model

After industralization and urban expansion, the environment around water has completely changed. The traditional model is no longer suitable due to the new challenges.

On one hand, the industry pollution and agricultural chemicals in the whole catchment area has resulted in a big deterioration of water environment. On the other hand, the increase of population density and new way of living also cast a much bigger pressure on the canal system which has a limited self-purifi cation capacity.

Moreover, after the prevailing of centralized model, people are used to the convenient way which use water from pipe and directly discharge it into another pipe.

Fortunately, the development of technology also creates new opportunities for de-centralized water cycle. The main principal for new de-centralized water model is to maximize the effi ciency of water recycling and safety by allocates each sort of water and action on to the proper scale with possible methods.

The diagram on the next page (Tjallingii, 1995) shows the main strategies on each level of scale in a decentralized water model.

On building level, the main task is saving water by new instruments and harvest rainwater from roof.

On district level, seasonal rainwater storage can be established in the public space and wetlands can be used for purifi cation. Other nature-oriented methods on the streets will also be used such as permeable pavement and separated sewage system.

On the city level the seriously polluted water which is not proper to stay in the neighborhoods should be treated. Big wetland parks can be a good idea both for recreation and environment.

On the regional and national level, natural reserves, farmland, forestry will be preserved and integrated into the whole water system. Drinking water will be supplied concentrately in order to guarantee the water quality.

Water Purifi cation Wetland (Kadlec and Knight, 1996)

Rainwater tank and stormwater tank near house (http:// www.basix.nsw.gov)

28 Scheme: Decentralized Water Model (Tjallingii, 1995)

29 6.2.4 Guiding Model for research site.

The guiding model for the research site is an integration of the new de-centralized model and traditional measurements.

On the building level, patios will be inserted into each house for collecting rainwater. On the district level, rain waters will run into canal system for peak-seasonal storage and recycle for laundry or washing. Grey water will be treated in wetlands in advance and fl ow to canal system. The canal system will also have certain water exchange with the main rivers to contribute to the regional system. On city and regional level, the main principals of the new de-centralized water model will be followed.

Scheme: Possible Water Model for Research Site 30 Grey water Treatment Wetland

Canal along street with seasonal fl uctuation

Patio in house 31 6.3 Eco-system around Water

The ecosystem around water is an important part in water environment. In the research area, there area mainly two types of eco-system around water: wetland and farmland.

6.3.1 Wetland Ecosystem

The wetland ecosystem has a big diversity of fl ora and fauna. The indigenous plants are extremely important for three reasons: first, it has a strong ability for adapting the local condition and fluctuating water environment; secondly, it contributes a lot to the water purification. Finally, it provided various habitats for local animals such as birds, fi shes, etc. The research site can use these plants in a way as the map below.

Phyllostachys propinqua Diospyros kak Pterocarya stenopter Salxi chaenomeloides Kimura Morus abla Broussonetia papyrifer Salix babylonica L Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu et Cheng

Sagi-ttaria sagittifoli Coiocasia esculenta Oenanthe javanica (Blume) DC Eleocharis tuberosa Nelumbo nucifera Brasenia schreberi Euryale ferox Salisb Nuphar pumilum (Hoffm.) DC Trapa maximowiczii Nymphoidespeltata

Wolffi a arrhiza Spirodela polyrhiza Setaria viridi Salvinia natan Cynodon dactyon Rostellularia procumben Achyranthea bidentat Phaenosperma globos Paederia scandens Potamogeton maackianu Phragmitea australis Elodea nuttalli Acalypha australis Pennisetum alopecuroide Arthraxon hispidu Hydrilla verticillata Imperata koenigii Vallisneria spiralis Lonicera japonica Miscanthus saccharifl oru Mosla scabr Potamogeton malaianus Arundo donax Potamogeton crispus Rosa multifl or Zizania caducifl ora Polygonumperfoliatum Ceratophyllum demersum Polygonum hydropipe Myriophyllum verticillatum

Map: Dominant indigenous plants in Huzhou (illustrated by author according to references (Liu, 2007, Si, 2008))

Photo: Xiazhuhe Wetland Park, Deqing County, Huzhou (www.huoche.com, www.lvmama.com) 32 Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu et Cheng (Yupanqingluo, 2008)

Phyllostachys propinqua (www.miaomu.net)

Pterocarya stenopter (Yandufei, 2007)

Nymphoidespeltata Nuphar pumilum (Hoffm.) DC

Nelumbo nucifera (mar2005, 2007)

Spirodela polyrhiza (www.uwgb.edu)

Ceratophyllum demersum (tolweb.org) Zizania caducifl ora (Jiaming Wang, 2007) 33 6.3.2 Farmland Eco-system

The species in farmland ecosystem is comparatively simple. Most of the plants have economic functions. Many animals in the farmland are also taken as food. But this part also plays an important role in rain water retention and fl ood storage.

This system can also be quite sustainable on its own as the plants provide food for animals, and the animals also generate fertile for plants.

Comparing with the wetland, the farmland, is very open, accessible, and creates vast beautiful landscape in specifi c season, such as the fl ower fi elds, golden paddy lands.

As for the research site, these farmlands can be partly preserved in large open space area as secondary fl ood storage. It will also have recreational functions and generate economic profi ts for the whole community.

Salix matsudana Koidz Prunus persica(L.)Batsch Morus alba L. Prunus salicina Lindl.

Brassica capestris Brassica rapa L.Chinensis Group Oryza sativa Vicia faba Linn Pisum sativum Linn

Morus alba L (www.hzxsmd.com) Brassica capestris (www.njcct.com) Oryza sativa (www.njcct.com)

34 7. Urban Structure 7. Urban Structure

7.1 Public Transport System

7.1.1 Regional Infrastructure System

Huzhou mainly relies on road network for passenger transportation. 5 express highways connect Huzhou with the rest of Yangtze Delta Metropolitan. There are also two national highways, one from Beijing to Fujian and another from Shanghai to Tibet. The most convenient way of traveling is private car in Delta area and taxi inside the city.

There is no airport in Huzhou. But Xiaoshan National Airport in Hangzhou is only 40 minutes by car through express highway.

The train station is 10km from city center, only slow train and cargo trains stop there. As a result, people seldom choose it for traveling. Bus are the main public transportation tool for short and medium distance travel. For long distance travel, people usually take bus to Suzhou, Hangzhou or Shanghai, and catch train or plane there.

Waterway is seldom used for passenger transportation now, but it still plays the dominant role in cargo transportation. Huzhou Port is one of the four main river ports in China.

Nanjing

Shanghai

Hangzhou

5 Express Highway (2010) 2 National Highway: 104, 318 Existing Railway Network Inter-city Hispeed Rail (under construction): 1.Aroung Taihu Lake, 2.Hangzhou-Nanjing 3.Zhapu-Jiaxing- Huzhou

Map: Infrastructure System of Huzhou

35 7.1.2 Current Public Transport System

In the research site, bus is the main tool for public transport. There are mainly three types of bus system serving different scales.

The fi rst system is the bus network in the city center. It stops every 300 meters and covers the city center in a dense network with 3km radius circle. This network also stretches out to the surrounding villages and new transportation nodes radically after the urban expansion.

The second system is the inter-town system. These buses are divided into direct bus and stop bus. The bus station in the Wuxing City center locates on the boundary of the "3km Radius Dense Bus Network", and can be reached within 10mins by bus or 5 mins by taxi for residents in the city center.

The third system is the long distance bus system. It reaches the other cities in the metropolitan. It takes 2 hours to reach Shanghai or Suzhou and 1 hour to Hangzhou. However, the bus station is 3km away from the "3km-Radius Dense Bus Network" and people usually need 30mins by bus from home to bus station.

From the map we can see that, although the hi-speed train may bring new opportunity, the train station is still 3km away from the "3km-Radius Dense Bus Network" where people can reach easily without transfer. How to increase its connectivity with city center becomes the key to its success.

to Nanjing

to Shanghai

3km

to Hangzhou

Express Highway(2010) 3km Radius Dense bus network Highway Main road Bus line Hispeed Rail Map: Public Transport System on Central Urban Area

7.1.3 Petential Increase of Car Reliance

In the survey by Bureau of Statistics in Huzhou in 2009, 81.5% of family don’t have car now. Among it, 5% plan to buy car in that year. 18.5% of family have car and 2% among it plan to buy another in that year. For the family who don’t have plan to buy car in the year, 43.8% said it’s because they 36 can’t afford, 23.8% said they still don’t need for car to work; and 18.4% said they will buy a car in several years (Bureau of Statistics in Huzhou, 2009). It’s easy to predict that with the development of economy and the further urban expansion, the number of private car will increase dramatically in the future. As a result, it's important to provide a public transport system which can be even more convenient and effi cient than using cars for reducing the car usage for a long consideration.

7.1.4 Experience in Western Europe

If we compare the current public transport system of Huzhou with the system of Rotterdam, we will see that after the construction of hispeed-rail, the connection between main cities will be similar, but the connection between regional centralities is much weaker.

This weakness is mainly caused by a miss of medium speed rail connection. Bus is easily affected by the traffic condition on road, especially at peak hours. As a result, it can't provide a quick connection between centralities directly into the centers. More over, bus doesn’t have a big capacity of carriage and results in a big crowd in peak hours. Huzhou Rotterdam

Amsterdam Nanjing Rotterdam London Shanghai 173km 223km 320km Huzhou Brussel 165km 140km Hangzhou 2h 2h 265km Ningbo Paris

Amsterdam Wuxi

Utrecht Yixing 50km Suzhou

80km Den Haag 40min Huzhou 40min Rotterdam

Wuxing Zhili Nanxun Den Haag Delft Rotterdam 15km 15km 10km 10km 15min 80min 2 stops 38 stops 16min 26min 80min 2 stops 5 stops about 40stops

3km CITY CENTER CENTRAL AREA AROUND TAIHU LAKE DELTA METROPOLITAN METROPOLITAN LAKE DELTA TAIHU CITY CENTER CENTRAL AREA AROUND 37 As a result, in order to decrease the use of car, a new rail transport system should be imported to provide quick connection between centers of existing and new centralities.

The light-rail system can be a good choice. We can see how the ligh-rail system supports the structure of city expansion through the Copenhagen case.

Copenhagen's development has followed a plan laid out in the 1970s to develop Copenhagen in a fi nger pattern. The average size of fi ngers is 25km from the palm. Each fi nger developed itself along the train line , most of the urban development concentrates within 2.5km from train stations. And the distance between train stations is 1-3km.

With the light-rail system, the city is able to stretch into the nature, but still have a good connection with the city center. Although this plan still have several problems, such as the missing connection between fi ngers, and too much reliance on the city center, it do provide a good option for Huzhou.

Map: Urbanised area of Copenhagen Metropolitan (yglesias.thinkprogress.org)

Map: Metro and railway system of Copenhagen Metropo (www.wandawanders.com)

7.1.5 Guildlines for research site

A light-rail line will be constructed to connect the hi-speed train station, Wuxing district center, new centralities, Zhili Town, and Nanxun district center. Bus network will operate as assistance.

to Nanjing

to Shanghai

to Hangzhou Express Highway(2010) Highway Main road Hispeed Rail Light-rail Line Dense bus network Radially Bus lines Map: Guideline for instrastructure on Central Urban Area

38

7.2 Pedestrian & Bike System

7.2.1 Current Open Space Structure

Along with the continuous urban expansion in these decades, the open space system also expanded dramatically. In the ancient times, people only walk around house, or to the markets. After the prevalence of bikes, people are able to reach city center or the parks very easily. Now, by using bus or car, people can easily go to suburban area or bank of Taihu Lake 7km away within 20 minutes.

2km2k2km 6km6k6km 14km141 kmkm

Park Paddy fi eld and wetlands Parkway along river Historic Site Commercial center Other traditional village

Commercial streets Sports fi eld

Map: Current open space system on Research Site

Currently, the city center has already formed a pleasant pedestrian system which uses parkways along the river and commercial streets as main corridors for connecting parks, historic sites, commercial centers, and sports fields. The government is still constructing more parks and parkways along the river to improve the quality and variety of the walking system.

"Fisherman's Quay" Park at Taihu Lake Lotus Garden in city center Xianwang Park, (on a bridge over Longxi River) Photo: Newly constructed parks in Huzhou (photo taken by author)

For the research site, one of its main advantages is the possibility to live close to nature. So how to construct the open space system on the new area so that the residents can easily enjoy this advantage and the people from the city center can also benefi t from the new system? What's the proper scale for pedestrian friendly urban structure, and how to encourage the use of bike for pre and post transport to make the light-rail system more superior?

39 7.2.2 Open Space Structure on Original Plan

According to City Plan (2003-2020), a green corridor on south-north direction will be preserved in the middle of two centralities, while the east-west direction will mainly rely on green space along main lake chain. The commercial function concentrates along the main road in the middle, while the residential function locates on its two sides. In my project, other pedestrian friendly references are used to modify this structure.

green space offi ce industrial area residential area educational space transportation commercial area cultural/ sport/ medicall storage

Map: City Plan (2003-2020) 800m 7.2.3 Reference for pedestrian friendly urban structure

7.2.3.1 Pedestrian Pocket

The concept of "pedestrian pocket" (Peter Calthorpe, 1988) stated that 800m is the distance people can easily walk within 10min. It's important to have mixed use on this scale and provide public transport connections around it so people can manage their basic life easily by walk and have easy access to the rest of the city without using car.

(Peter Calthorpe, 1988)

Milton Keynes is a successful case in using the pedestrian pocket theory for urban planning in new urbanized area.

Milton Keynes is a large town about 72 km north-west of London. It was formally designated as a new town on 23 January 1967, with the design brief to become a 'city' in scale. The target population is 0.25 million. (wikipedia, 2009)

It's 89 km2 (34 sq mi) area including the existing towns of Bletchley, Wolverton and Stony Stratford along with another fi fteen villages and farmland in between. (wikipedia, 2009)

Milton Keynes Development Corporation planned the major road layout according to street hierarchy principles, using a grid pattern of approximately 1 km interval, rather than on the more conventional radial pattern found in older settlements. Major internal roads run between communities, rather than through them: these distributor roads are known locally as grid roads and the spaces between them are known as grid squares. Intervals of 1 km were chosen so 40 that people would always be within walking distance of a bus stop. Consequently each grid square is a semi-autonomous community, making a unique collective of 100 clearly identifiable neighborhoods within the overall urban environment. The grid squares have a variety Milton Keynes of development styles, ranging from conventional urban development and industrial parks to original rural and modern urban and pseudo-rural London developments. Most grid squares have Local Centers, intended as local retail hubs and most with community facilities as well. (wikipedia, 2009) Map 25: Location of MK The plan has a strong respect for the original landscape; the road grid (www.bedfordshire.gov.uk, 2009) is curved according to the landform. The city center of the whole area situates on the highest area in the central location, with 1 theatre, 2 museums, 1 university center, 2 cinemas and big markets. The linear park locates along the fl ood plain of Great Ouse River.

For public transport, the railway runs through the city and has 5 stops along the way. Bus is the main way for public transport inside the city at this moment. Map 26: Grid roads of MK Except for public transport, a bicycle road system called Redway (www.geographyteachingtoday.org.uk, 2009) System is planned in the whole area. This system takes the routes though neighborhoods and green spaces and the residents use it for both commute and recreation.

The Milton Keynes has a similar scale as my research site, although the density is lower. The main strategies we can learn from this case are the mixed use on the pedestrian pocket scale with different focuses; the co- operation among different pocket with the well connected bus system and bike system. Map 27: Master plan of MK (www.thimkagain.co.uk, 2009) 7.2.3.2 After Supper Walking Circle

The after supper walking is a popular activity in Huzhou all the year around. Now, people pay more attention to the health. On the other hand, the rate of obesity also increased after the improvement of living quality. As a result, many people choose to walk 1 to 3 hours after supper. This means that most people can walk around a 1km radius circle, while some people can reach a 2km radius circle. The concentrated big parks, and surrounded walkways provide a good walking experience. However, the scale is still not big enough, many people repeats the circuit 2-3 times everyday.

The main advantage of suburban living comparing with the city center is its possibility to live close to nature. So research site should provide a structure that allows each house to be able to reach the nature within a 1 hour circuit tour. And allows the people from the city center enjoy the nature by bike and light-rail, or by 3 hour walking circuit (70mins by bike) in the weekends.

1km

2km

Photos: parkway along the river (photo taken by author)

41 7.2.4 Guideline for research site

By integrating the relevant scales in different references mentioned above, I come to the structure below.

First, instead of the south-north oriented green corridor on the original plan, a green network that stretches from the pedestrian system of city center will be planned. By doing so, the new urban areas become the islands in the nature and each house is able to reach the nature within 1 hour walking circuit.

Secondly, the new plan will consist of many mix-used pedestrian pockets. Each pocket have a mix of basic functions but have different focus and may co-operate with each other on a bigger scale by good public transport system.

r=2km

r=1km

Park Paddy fi eld and wetlands Pedestrian Pocket Parkway along river Historic Site walking circuit Commercial center Other traditional village

Commercial streets Sports fi eld

Map: New guildlines for research site

This urban structure is not the only solution for a sustainable urban structure, but provides an optional possibility for organizing the new developing area with a highly consideration for pedestrian and bike. It allows a convenient life without the usage of car.

42 8. Open Space Quality 8. Open Space Quality

8.1. Climate Adaptive Consideration

8.1.1 Climate Adaptive Requirements on site

In Chapter 3.1.2, the main climate character of Huzhou has been introduced. If we use one table to describe the climate adaptive requirements people need to take through one year, we will see that this area need wind in summer and sunshine in winter in order to become comfortable. Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec total

comfortable 23 21 24 23 27 118 need sunshine 12 10 9 12 2 8 3 13 70 need moisture 2 7 9 18 6 2 44

need wind 5 27 26 4 62

need aircondition 12 10 7 2 4 4 5 3 16 61 Number of days through in each month for different climate adaptive requirements (Wang, 2008) The wind direction in Huzhou is usually from south or south-east in summer and from north-west in winter. As a result, the local house usually prefer to close on north-west and open to south or south-east.

22th June

82 19'

22th Dec 35 19'

Windrose of Huzhou Sun Altitude of Huzhou

8.1.2 Comparison on existing housing typologies

In order to fi nd the suitable housing typology for the research site, the existing housing typologies during different time periods are compared.

The four examples I chose are typical house typologies in each period. All of them have a FSI more than 1.0.

Yishang Street has a traditional typology; it's highly compact and organizes the urban space along canal network.

Jishan is a typical 1980s' housing, when the city starts the fi rst big urban expansion around the old city boundary.

Majunxiang represents many projects in 1990s inside the city center, which took place of the old housing along the river. They tried to preserve some traditional identity by various ways.

Yujiayang represents the most recent development in the suburban area. These areas used to have lots of wetland. The wetland is always re-shaped into water landscape inside the residential area, although the water surface is usually reduced.

43 From the comparison of climate adaptive measures in the table below we can see that, the traditional house have a good adaptations to the hot weather, but is colder in winter. These advantages and disadvantages both make people spend lots of time on the street, which stimulates the community activities and water culture. However, this compact housing typology can provide few green spaces inside the block, so it's not suitable for a large urban expansion. Moreover, the traditional typology is more suitable for big family. but now, most people choose to stay in small families with 2-4 people.

The three modern typologies have some common advantages, such as the warmer environment in winter, and brighter interior space. However, it sacrifi ces the adaptive measures in summer and totally relies on air-condition for cooling. Moreover, due to the lack of canopy on the street, few people go to the concentrated open space in the daytime of summer.

As a result, although the modern typology is popular at this moment, it should be modifi ed into a more sustainable living environment.

Table: Comparison of Climate Adaptive Measures

Yishang Street Jishan Majunxiang Yujiayang

GSI 0.51 0.21 0.3 0.19 L 1-2 5 2-7 3-17 FSI 1.0 1.1 1.6 1.16 OSR 0.48 0.72 0.44 0.71 Orientation river/south south river/south south Max. distance to water 100m 150m 200m 150m Water surface in block: 0% 1% 0% 10%

Climate Adaptive Measures

1. Sun: Traditional typology block the sun in summer and invites sun in winter, while new typology mainly focus on inviting sun in winter.

winter: yes winter: yes summer: no summer: yes

44 Yishang Street Jishan Majunxiang Yujiayang

2. Canopy: Traditional typology has various canopy by architecture, while new typology only use trees. Some even don't have canopy.

3. Wind: Traditional typology has a chimney effect that holds the cold air in the day time and speed up thermal exchange in the evening. The patios and corridors in the traditional typology is also good for ventilation.

through corridor and patio through windows

45 8.1.3 Urban Geometry VS Micro-climate

There are mainly three ways for improving micro-climate, the arrangement of urban geometry, the usage of landform, water and trees, and measures on achitectual level.

8.1.3.1 Sun VS Urban Geometry

According to the research on traditional housing in this region (Wang, 2008), the ideal house for this region should collect most sunshine in winter and have least sunshine in summer. From the map below we can see that Type A gets least heat in winter and D gets most heat in summer. Type B gets lot of heat in winter and lest heat in summer. So Type B is most suitable for this region. (Wang, 2008)

Map: Solar radiation on different shapes with same volume (Wang, 2008)

At the same time, the Housing Act requires each house should have at least 1 hours of sunshine for December 22nd. Generally speaking, in this region, it means the distance between two buildings should be more than 1.2 times of the southern building's height.

8.1.3.2 Wind VS Urban Geometry

Large air masses cannot be altered in their motion which is dictated by differences of air pressure. However, velocities near the living, or ground level can be controlled to a certain extent. (Olgyay, 1957)

The wind climate around an isolated obstacle such as a building is well documented. The fl ow in an envelope surrounding the building is perturbed. There are three main zones of disturbance: ahead there is a bolster eddy vortex due to flow down the windward face, behind there is a lee eddy drawn into the cavity of low pressure due to fl ow separation from the sharp edges of the building

Map : The fl ow regimes associated with air fl ow over building arrays of increasing H/W (OKE, 1988) 46 top and sides, and further down-stream is the building wake parallel units characterized by increased turbulence but lower horizontal speeds than the undisturbed fl ow. (OKE, 1988)

The flow over arrays of building is less well understood. If the building are well apart (H/W>0.05) their fl ow fi eld do not interact. At closer spacing, the wakes are disturbed. When the height, spacing and density of the array combine to bolster and cavity eddies, this isolated roughness fl ow regime changes to one referred to as wake interference flow. This is characterized by secondary flows in the canyon space where the downward flow of the cavity eddy is re-enforced by deflection down the windward face of the next building downstream. At even greater H/W and density, a stable staggered units circulatory vortex is established in the canyon and transition to a skimming fl ow regime occurs where the bulk of the fl ow does not enter the canyon. The transition between these three regimes occur at critical combinations of H/W and L.W (OKE, 1988)

Buildings positioned perpendicular to the wind direction receives on their exposed side the full sweep of the velocities. Positioned at 45 degree the wind velocity is reduced to 50%; some calculations use 66% as the correction factor. Building rows spaced at a distance equal to seven times their respective heights secure Map: Distribution of Wind meanspeed in satisfactory ventilation effect for each unit. The wind South Wind (calculated in Virtual Wind) has a tendency, however, to leap-frog long parallel unit arrangements. Buildings planned in row arrangements cause a wind shadow over the subsequent units, which parallel units are reinforced by the tendency of the wind to channel through free spaces and pass by the later units. An arrangement of staggered unites take advantage of the bounding pattern of the wind since the houses direct the fl ow to subsequent structures.

Since in Huzhou, wind usually comes from south and south-east in summer and from north-west in winter. The ideal arrangement is to use staggered unites for best breeze and leave enough wind corridors or wind holes staggered units on the south-east direction.

Map: Distribution of Wind meanspeed in South-east Wind (calculated in Virtual Wind)

47 8.1.4 Measures on building level

The traditional housing typology have a plenty collection of the architectural measures.

Cold Lane: the streets are kept narrow and compact (2m for street and 1m for lane) to avoid sunshine and speed up the wind from river. the cold air is kept in the lower area in the day time since it's heavier. Cold Lane Cold Lane (Wang, 2008)

Gallery: It provides a pleasant walking environment without the effect of sun and rain. It's taken as an important public space in the traditional area.

Gallery gallery (Wang, 2008) Patio: the patio, especially the ones with narrower top floor, provides good chimney effect as cold lane.

Water and Vegetation Water plays an important role in Patio Patio (Wang, 2008) improving micro-climate due to its big thermal storage capacity.

Water and vegetation can also cool the air by evaporation. As a result, pools and lakes with low shrubs or wetlands should be placed on the wind route toward house. Several big trees can also be used for increasing evaporation. But it should not block the wind route. Moving waterscapes such as fountains or water-falls can also be used to increase the evaporation surface.

Function of Water (Wang, 2008)

48 8.1.5 Guiding Model for Research Site

First of all, the buildings will face south as the current typology for the best useful sunshine. Each house will be guaranteed 1 hours of sunshine on Dec 22nd.

Secondly, the arrangement should try to block the wind in winter and invites the wind in summer. So the area should close on north-west and open to south-east. Forest will be planned on the north-west as a shelter. Pools and shrubs will be place the on the south-east along the wind route for cooling effect.

Buildings are staggers to avoid corridor effect when wind comes from south. Enough wind corridors will be kept to invite south-east wind.

Distribution of mean wind speed in guiding model (calculated im virtual wind)

In order to further improve the wind environment, the cold lane can be integrated into each building as space for staircase and other public functions. In the map below we can see that by inserting 3m wide cold lanes into each building and placing them on lines, it creates a bigger wind speed in that area, and other places only have a very small impact. This strategy tries to create a specially cool environment in the original traffi c space to stimulate public life. The cold lane of 4m is also tested but the corridor effect is too big.

By wind speed calculation and shadow analysis (next page) for guiding model, we can see that the quality mentioned above is proved. The main open spaces in the neighborhood enjoy a good wind environment in summer and big sunshine in winter. But in

49 summer, patios, galleries and vegetation should be integrated into the middle-rise apartments as a plus for improving the micro-climate for canopy and chimney effect.

Mar. 21st Jun. 22nd Sep. 21st Dec. 22nd

07:00 07:00 07:00 07:00

09:00 09:00 09:00 09:00

11:00 11:00 11:00 11:00

13:00 13:00 13:00 13:00

15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00

17:00 17:00 17:00 17:00 Movement of shadow through one year in guilding model

One possible way of integration in middle-rise appartment 50 8.2 Spatial quality of Open Spaces

8.2.1 Comparison of existing open spaces

It's a common trend that the linear small open space in front of each house is now being step by step replaced by concentrated big park serving several communities, and the space function are more and more differentiated.

There are mainly two reasons for this change. First of all, it's the differentiation of the society, especially the education, and wealth. People are no longer willing to be attached to the place they live, but grouped by the interest and social contributions. So the change of the open space structure aims at providing more choices for this trend to satisefy different groups of people.

Secondly, the new entertainment activities of interior space, such as TV, karaoke, and internet attract people spending much more time at indoor space. The small and vacant open space in front of each house is less competitive and degraded quickly due to less demand.

The concentrated parks have many positive effects. Lively community activities are generated quickly in the concentrated parks, such as chorus group, sword-dance group, skating, etc. However, we should also notice that the increase of distance between home and open space, and the un-pleasant journey on the route makes people only go to the parks after sunset.

8.2.2 Guidelines for Research Site Traditional 1980s Current

Small/linear along neiborhood/ Centralised in on district/ concentrated for 3 districts/ Overlapped functions Differentiated functions More differentiated functions

As a result, in order to re-invite people into the open space in the day time, the area should promise the special quality on all the scales so that people can easily move between public spaces on upper and lower levels without unpleasant interruption.

On the table of next page, the open spaces in different period are compared on each scale. The green framed ones which are functioning lively.

After comparison we can see that, in Huzhou, water is always taken as the center of public space. It's much easier to stimulate lively urban life around water, especially with a good inter-action with water.

At the same time, it's also easy to observe that the small scale open spaces in the new residential area are not frequently used due to its unclear space character and improper spatial quality. For example, the back yards of new villas along pools are always empty because people felt being watched in a private domain. More over, the public space on the other side of the pool also has a problem for attracting people because no one want to sit there for staring at someone's house. The community space around the building also has few people because people can do nothing there, and mostly importantly, people can't change the community space into what they want.

51 Table: Open spaces on each scale formed in different periods

Traditional 1980s CITY

(Guanqian Street, Suzhou) (Lion Grove Garden, Suzhou) DISTRICT NEIGHBORHOOD BUIDING 52 1990s 2000s

53 After the comparison, I developed the guidelines for the research site on each level.

On the building level, the open space should be either completely private so people can enjoy the time without any interruption, or completely public to allow various interactions between neighborhoods. The small yards of the new villas are not successful because it positions a private space into the front of a public space.

On the neighborhood level, many spaces in new blocks are vacant because the community don't have the right to change and don't have a strong emotional connection with these spaces. As a result, in order to encourage community activities around buildings, it's important to provide spaces where community can modify or add new things, so the space can meet people's need, and people can feel their lives improving step by step even their private house don't change.

On the district level, the most important task is to provide a pleasant pedestrian network to link the upper and lower scales.

As a result, in order to encourage more out-door activities in research site, how to improve the attraction of the small open space in front of each house, and to provide a pleasant connection between small and and concentrated open spaces is two key questions.

On the City scale, the space that functions as the center always has an exclusive identity or cultural importance. For example, the central open space in the history was usually the front square of temple, or the religious garden. Now, traditional gardens and new parks with special quality are very popular. As for the research site, the place that has the potential for regional attraction is the nature, or the historic villages, both of which are closely connected with water culture.

Table: Guildline for research site

Identity, Cultural importance

Pleasant pedestrian network as the linkage of upper and lower levels Decentralisation of differentiated functions

Possibility of Participation and comunity Quality environment empowerment community facility private house

Time

>50m

completely private completely public Enough distance between private and public building neighborhood district City (region) 54 8.3 Regional Identity and Water Culture

8.3.1 Existing villages and its potential role for water culture

Currently, there are a lot of existing villages around the water network. According to the City Plan (2003-2020), all these villages will be torn down. The villagers will be to the middle-rise residential blocks. During my site observation on February 20th, 2010, I found that some villages are already empty and ready to be torn down, while some are still there with lively neighborhoods.

Photo: Current situation of villages on research site (photo taken by author)

Map: Current form of village and water on research site (illustrated by author according to google earch map)

I believe a pleasant urban space, especially the one people have a strong emotional connection, plays an important role for the vitality of urban life. If the original landscape and urban tissue can be respected during urban development, it will not only preserve the important attraction of the region, but also provide better opportunity for sustainable water system, lively public space, and regeneration of water culture. As a result, although the main goals and basic structure of the City Plan (2003-2020) is recognized as the basis in my plan, new ways of development must be found to modify the plan into a more sustainable one. In order to see how to regenerate these villages, two cases are studied for reference.

Case One---Suzhou For Suzhou, the main focus in regenerating the old city center is the maintenance of traditional urban structure and feature. As a result, the main Street-River Dual network is preserved, and the import role of the old main roads, commercial Birdview of Suzhou City (Marcopolis , 2008) centers are kept. The traditional facade and image along main streets and rivers are preserved or restored. The important old trees, bridges, stones and old street names are also protected as part of city's history. In between this main structure, it's allowed to have various tries on low or middle rise constructions.

Aerial view of Suzhou City (google earth) 55 Lingdun Street, Suzhou Pingjiang Street, Suzhou Guangqian Street, Suzhou (Marcopolis , 2008) (pysche, 2007) (Nicola e Pina, 2008)

Case Two---Kuanzhaixiangzi (Wide and Narrow lanes) in Chengdu Kuanzhaixiangzi is one of the three important historic sites in Chengdu City, and the only one that reflects the traditional street structure. However, with the development of the whole city, this area became isolated with the outside. While the city is more and more multi-cultural and modern, this area kept in a very traditional way. The main fans of this area are the backpackers and artists from other provinces or countries. The local citizens seldom go there. As a result, the government decides to regenerate it into new functions. (Chen, 2008)

During regeneration, the main street structure, and 45 yards of Ming or Qing Dynasty are well preserved. But the main function of this area is changed into restaurant, commercial, recreation, exhibition and tourism. There main three lanes in this area. The Kuang Lane mainly focus on street life, the Zhai lane focus on recreational activities in the yards, and the Jing Lane focus on local culture. (Tang, 2008)

After the regeneration, this area becomes a commercial center and main tourism attraction. Although the argument on it never ends, it do attracts wide attention to the traditional culture from both tourists and local citizens.

Master Plan yard Wide Lane (Yunjia Wang, 2010) (Yunjia Wang, 2010) (Yunjia Wang, 2010)

Conclusion For the existing villages, the most important part for main structure and water culture is the ones along water system. As a result, this part of village will be preserved during urbanization. The possible functions can be commercial center, recreational zones, etc. If it locates in the green network, it can remain as a village living on farmland. The exact functions will be decided according to different situations.

56 8.2 Local Material in Water Culture

8.2.1 Material of Construction

Traditionally, this area use white ash wall, wood window and black tile for construction. There are several reasons for that. First of all, they're local materials which can be taken easily on site. Secondly, the white wall maximize the sunshine refl ection and keep the house cool in summer. Moreover, it's reflects the traditional culture and aesthetic perception in this region. The white-black color is especially Historic building, Nanxun beautiful in mild days when everything is in the fog. It can also give a simple background to strengthen the beauty of colorful trees and fl owers.

In my opinion, although the industrialization resulted in a big change of construction materials, it's nice to keep the color tone of the material for various considerations. As a result, I will use black to grey for roof, and use white to grey for wall.

8.2.2 Material of Pavement Suzhou Museum by I. M. Pei (photo by author) Traditionally, the pavement used four kinds of materials: brick, slate, pebble and tile.

These materials are very adaptive to the local weather. On one hand, it's semi-permeable so the rain water can go down to earth. On the other hand, the pavement has many convex spot so people can walk easily in rainy days. Brick (saixiyuwen, 2009) Currently, there are a lot of new applications of the traditional ways. Some uses the traditional material, but design it into a very contemporary style. While some use contemporary material for a traditional feeling. Both of these two ways have many good examples. Slate (Mading, 2010)

Pebble (yueshengw, 2009)

Slate in New Park, Huzhou Tile in New Plaza, Huzhou (photo by author) (photo by author) Tile (saixiyuwen, 2009)

57 We can also fi nd many good examples in Japan, who use similar materials, and did many tries for traditional identity in contemporary garden.

Photos: traditional identity in contemporary garden in Japan (Freeman, Sakai, 2008)

8.3.2 Local Flora in water culture

The local is an indiscerptible part in traditional water city scenery. It's part of many people's memory about the past. As a result, we should not only preserve the plants in the old villages, but also use these indigenous plants in the new housing area. By doing this, the traditional identity can be extended into the whole area, and it helps to stimulate the water culture around open spaces.

Ginkgo biloba L (Shanghai Qu You, 2004) Broussonetia papyrifera(L.)L’H erit ex Vent. (on bridge) (Henry_2008cai, 2009)

Paulownia tomentosa(Thunb.)Steud. Luffa cylindrica (Linn.) Roem. Salix matsudana Koidz Prunus persica(L.)Batsch Jasminum nudifl orum Lindl. 58 The map below shows the frequently used plants in local villages which can be taken as the guide for new housing. I divide them into fi ve categories: big tree, small tree, shrub, ground cover, and climbing plant. Big Tree Ginkgo biloba L Small Tree Populus adenopoda Maxim Magnolia denudata Desr. Liriodendron chinense (Hemsl.) Sarg. Michelia fi go (Lour.) Spreng Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl Chimonanthus praecox (L.) Link Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. Eriobotrya japonica(Thunb.)Lindl. Gleditsia sinensis Lam. Kerria japonica(L.)DC. Acer buergerianum Miq. Prunus mume Sieb.et Zucc. Korlreuteria paniculata Laxm. Prunus persica(L.)Batsch Sapindus mukorosii Gaertn Prunus salicina Lindl. Paulownia fortunei (Seem.)Hemsl. Cercis chinensis Bge. Paulownia tomentosa(Thunb.)Steud. Osmanthus fragrans Lour. Firmiana simplex (L.)W.F.Wight. Punica granatum L Liquidambarformosana Quercusfabri Platycarya strobilacea Quercus acutissima Salix babylonica L Sapium sebiferum(L.)Roxb. Bischofi a polycarpa(L’evl.)Airy-Shaw

Ground Cover Shrub Oxalis acetosella L Rosa chinensis Jacq. Oxalis corniculata L. Climbing Plant Wisteria sinensis Sweet Forsythia suspense(Thunb.)Vahl Oxalis corymbosa DC. Quamoclit pennata (Lam.) Bojer Jasminum nudifl orum Lindl. Lonicera japonica Petunia hybrida Vilm. Serissa japonica(Thunb.)Thunb. Hemerocallis fulvaL Luffa cylindrica (Linn.) Roem Viburnum macrocephalum Fortune Duchesnae Cucurbita moschata Phyllostachys nigra(Lodd.)Munro indica Rosa spp. Liriope spicata (Thunb.)Lour . Trifolium repens Musa basjoo Sieb et Zucc. Delphinium grandif- Canna generalis Bailey. lorum Hosta ventricasa Pteis nervosa Viola yedoensis Makino Lythrum salicaria Map: Frequetly used plant in village of Huzhou (illustrated by author Trifolium repens accoring to references (Li, 2007, smkxxy.hutc.zj.cn)) Saxifraga stolonifera

Big Tree

Ginkgo biloba L Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl Liriodendron chinense (Hemsl.) Sarg. Gleditsia sinensis Lam.

59 Small Tree

Chimonanthus praecox (L.) Link Prunus persica(L.)Batsch Osmanthus fragrans Lour. Eriobotrya japonica(Thunb.)Lindl.

Shrub

Rosa chinensis Jacq. Jasminum nudifl orum Lindl. Serissa japonica(Thunb.)Thunb. Phyllostachys nigra(Lodd.)Munro

Climbing Plants

Petunia hybrida Vilm. Rosa spp. Wisteria sinensis Sweet Quamoclit pennata (Lam.) Bojer

Ground cover

Duchesnae Oxalis corymbosa DC. Viola yedoensis Makino Trifolium repens

Lonicera japonica Saxifraga stolonifera Lythrum salicaria PlantagoasiaticaL

60 9. Summary Below are the conclusions I got from research on each aspect Region Guideline for infrastructure system Guideline for pedestrian & bike system Water Model Water Possible way for regenerating existing villages Guideline for open space on each scale Guding Model of pleasant micro climate traditional material plants around village List of local wetland plants Buidling Community Pedestrian Pocket

61 62 Part III Planning and Design

10. Regional Scale 10.1 Original Plan by government (63) 10.2 New green structure (64) 10.3 New Water System (65) 10.4 New public transport system (66)

11. Pedestrian Pocket Scale 11.1 Defi nition of site (67) 11.2 Water System (69) 11.3 Urban Structure (70) 11.4 Climate Adaptive Measures (72)

12. Community Scale 12.1 Master Plan (73) 12.2 Two types of units (74) 12.3 Visual Perspective (78). 12.4 Water System (80) 12.5 Urban Structure (82) 12.6 Climate adaptive considerations (88) 12.7 Plants and Pavement (92)

10. Regional Scale 10. Regional Scale

15km

10.1 Original Plan by government

The City Plan (2003-2020) by the government is taken as the guidelines for the development of this area. According to that plan, The research site (totally 56km2) will have 15.5km2 residential area, 4.5km2 manufacturing, 5.7km2 commercial area, 1km2 culture functions, 1km2 business functions, 2 Medical centers with 0.2km2 , 0.6km2 plaza and parking space, 1km2 Social Facility, 1.9km2 Educational facilities, , 0.25km2 logistics, and 0.5km2 Sport facilities.

From the map below we can see that according to the distribution of commercial areas, there will be two new centralities between the existing centers. Each centrality will cover an area of 2.5 km radius.

The above aspects will be kept in my new plan, but the urban structure will be modifi ed in three aspects according to the guidelines in chapter 6-chapter 9.

Wuxing City Center

2.5km Zhili Town

Main local centralities in Huzhou according to City Plan (2003-2020)

63 10.2 New Green Structure

As mentioned in chapter 8, on the regional scale, a continuous green network will be generated in between the existing city centers. The new centralities will form as the islands in the green space. The villages along water will be regenerated in the current form, while the other villages can be replaced by new housing.

In defining the specific shape of the network, I mainly use the main rivers and lakes, and the existing paddy lands and pools around it. The core of new network is Xishanyang Lake, which covers an area of 1km2. It has good water quality beautiful small hill on its south. Some villages near the lake add more peacefulness and beauty into this area. This area will be the main attraction for residents, as well as the people from city. In the future, people from city center and the new residential area will all be able to reach this lake by various ways, such as boat, light-rail, bike or hiking through green network.

r=1km

Park Parkway along river Attraction of city level

Sports fi eld Commercial center Historic Site Wetland & Farmland Commercial streets 1hour walking circuit

Photo: potential attraction of city level in the research area (photo by author) 64 10.3 New Water System

On the first level, there will be two north-south oriented and two west-east oriented main rivers forming the main structure of the water system. The main structure and other water bodies in the green network can form a highly connected system working as part of the regional water system. The green area is also used as major water retention and flood storage space. This connected water system is totally 6.32 km2 on research site.

On the other hand, the housing area will form many partly independent water systems. These systems will have water circulate on the site for seasonal storage and water recycles. But each system will still have certain water exchange with the main system to share the fl ood pressure. At the same time, by importing water into the site and discharge it after purifi cation, each independent system will function as a purification machine for the region. 1.33km2 of water surface will be compulsorily preserved in the housing area, while other water body is possible to be modifi ed as long as the total fl ood storage capacity is achieved.

Main river corridor Semi-close water system in housing area

Main fl ood retention area

Photo: Xiazhuhu Wetland Park, Deqing, Huzhou (As reference for site) (www.enorth.com.cn, 2009) (www.dqnews.com.cn, 2005)

Photo: Main River on the south of research site (Zhou, 2008)

65 10.4 New Public Transport System

The light-rail system will be the main public transport tool to Nanjing in linking the city centers and new centralities. While the to Shanghai buses works as a plus on the local level.

Two new centralities will be generated around light-rail line. But different from the original plan, each centrality will consist of many pedestrian pockets with different focuses. to Hangzhou The co-operation of different pedestrian pockets can be realised by good bus and bike system.

1km

Existing Centrality Light-rail line

New Centrality Bus connection

Pedestrian pocket with mix function but different focus

66 11. Pedestrian Pocket Scale 11. Pedestrian Pocket Scale

11.1 Defi nition of site

The site I chose for designing a sample pocket is the “to be urbanized area” which locates 2km from the boundary of city center. According to my regional plan, it will have light-rail station on the north and main river, national highway on the south. So it's a typical pedestrian pocket on the research site. Currently, the area is covered by paddy land and fi sh pools, but it's surrounded by newly constructed residential blocks. So it's possible that it will be urbanized very soon. On the other hand, it also means it has a highly potential to become a local center that attracts the residents in the mono-functional surrounding area as well. So this pocket will have more commercial focus.

1km 1.7km

67 The total area inside the red line is 1.25km2. with 0.18 km2 of water surface.

There are two and half existing villages on the site. The village on the west is still lively with villagers while the one on the east is partly abandoned.

A hill with about 100m high locates on the south of the site and have a big influence for the microclimate of the area.

68 11.2 Water System

The design of water system will follow the guideline of district level. There are two loops on the site by utilizing existing water surface. Each loop passes several residential blocks and keeps the water circulating on site. The overlap part of two loops is concentrated wetlands in the center of the area. The concentrated wetlands use the existing fish pools as the main water surface and is main area for seasonal and fl ood storage. Each residential block will also have separate wetlands for treating the grey water from houses before it fl ow into two loops.

For the connection with regional water system, there are one inlet and one outlet. The inlet locates on the south of the site because in the flood season, water usually flows from south to north. Floating islands and wetland banks will be used on the inlet canal for pre-treatment. Three other culverts will be left at the joints of two water systems. This culverts will open when the regional water system also have good water quality.

Regional water system Water treatment wetlands Water system on site Water fl ow direction Culverts open when regional system is clean

69 11.3 Urban Structure

The urban structure will follow the pedestrian pocket guiding model. The main vehicle road runs on the boundary of pocket and provide have bus stops along it so each house can reach bus stop within 500m (a five minutes’ walk). The bus route will also pass light-rail station for transfer on regional level.

The pedestrian network and bicycle route are combined together on this scale. It connects the central open space, commercial streets, parkways along rivers, and all the residential blocks. It also connect the pedestrian network of the surrounding pockets and make people easily continue their route into regional green network.

The main open space in the pocket is the central wetlands which is also the center in water system. People and enjoy rural landscape on the site, the mining-stone mountain will be surrounded by a lake and have further ecological restoration.

There are mainly three social facilities on the site: the primary school near light-rail station, the geracomium near commercial streets and the kindergarten on the south of it.

Main pedestrian and bicycle route

Main vehicle road Social Facilities Bus stop Green Space Light-rail station Commecial Street Business or manufacturing

70 Park around discarded mining-stone mountain

Park on wetlands

71 11.4 Climate Adaptive Measures

Wind effect is the main aspect on this scale.

In order to invite more wind in summer, the whole area will open to the south and south-east. The wetlands will also concentrate on the wind route to further cool up the wind before it enter the residential blocks.

In order to block the wind in winter, a forest will be planed on the north-west.

Since the hill will have a big impact on the wind effect, the 300m (100/0.33) radius zone on the north and north-west of the hill will not have any housing.

Tree as wind shelter

Major wind direction in summer

No housing zone for wind reason

72 12. Community Scale 12. Community Scale

12. 1 Master Plan

On the community scale, I choose to design three communities around old village to see how they can work together.

As mentioned in chapter 1, according to the original plan, the total population on the Central City Area should increase from 0.58 to 1 million, which means the research area need to accommodate 0.3million people on average. So the middle- rise apartment is still the main type of housing. Some low-rise villas are planned along the pools to achieve a better transition between old village and new housing.

old building new building vehicle road pedestrian route existing water surface new water surface green space

73 12.2 Two Types of Units

12.2.1 Type I---Middle Rise Apartment

The new apartment will still have two symmetric apartments which staircase in the middle. But the staircase will change into open space to function as wind corridor. This staircase corridor will also play important role in water system and open space system.

According to the survey (Huzhou Bureau of statistics, 2009), the most demanding size of house is 60-120 m2. <60 6.3% 60-90 31.3% 90-120 42.2% 120-200 20.2% >200 0.0

On the other hand, the government aims to increase the average living area per capita from 31.5m2 (Bureau of Statistics in Wuxing, 2009) to 45m2 (City Plan 2003-2020) in 2020. And it may go on increase after that.

More over, it's also common that each family will change their demand of size due to change of fi nancial condition and family structure.

As a result, the design will meet the current demand but have a big flexibility for separation or combination. Moreover, each apartments have 2-3 directions of combination the possibility to expand their house after they get richer is much bigger than only one direction. 74 Easy to combine

72.5+3.8 m2

+

72.5+7.5 m2 51+5 m2

2 80.2+8 m2 56+6 m +

2 110+5 m2 94+3.5 m

Easy to seperate

96+8.5 m2

128+8 m2

98+13 m2

6.5 m2/garage

Easy to share

75 12.2.2 Type II - low rise villa along river

The low rise villas are planned in between the old villages and new housing, or the area along wide rivers.

It aims at achieving a better spatial transition from old to new area. At the same time, it tries to add more variety to the housing types.

The group A has 8 houses which share a community yard. The yard connects water through a small square. Two houses have private patios, and four houses have private space on water. But each family can enjoy yard and water in shared space.

House B enjoys a completely independent house with two patios. It also face river with gallery.

80% of house will have independent car garage in the house, while 20% have bike garages at the entrance of the group. But these families A1 live on water so can enjoy boat more frequently. A3 A5 The houses of group A have a size between A2 120-160m2. But have a big possibility for combination. The independent house is 304m2, A4 A7 but very easily to be divided, especially for a big A6 family who live together but want some privacy. B A8

76 Section across river

2 2 162m 162m2 304+32 m

126m2 126m2

2 2 146+32 m 120m2 120m 146+32 m2

Ground fl oor plan 77 12.3 Visual perspective

A

B

View from point A

78 View from point B

79 12.4 Water System

12.4.1 Community Scale

The spatial form of regional water network is imitated on the community scale for the main rain water cycle.

Grey water treatment wetland is concentrated on for 1-2 communities. The average area of wetland for each family is 4m2.

Extra wetlands as landscape are located in the housing area.

Curved canal and wetlands are used in at the joint of regional and local water system.

main rain water circuit canal network

seasonal ponds in water cycle

wetlands as landscape

greywater treatment wetland

pre-treatment wetland

regional water system

80 12.4.2 Building Scale

Each house will have a patio as private open space which collects the rainwater from roof. Then the rain water flows through pipes in staircase corridor. The rainwater will be partly stored along the pipe for irritation, cooling, or other functions in open space. Other part of rain water will flow into the canal along the street.

Staircase Corridor House Patio

Region Community

Canal

81 12.5 Urban Structure

12.5.1 Community Scale

For infrastructure, the vehicle system and pedestrian system are separated. The bicycle will use the same route as pedestrians but on different section on this scale

All the parking facilities concentrate along the main road to get minimum interruption to the open space system.

Halfly underground parking is used in most areas because it has lower interruption for pedestrians and it still allows natural ventilation and lighting.

It's also possible to boat from community to main wetlands, and the boats can also be shared on neighborhood level.

The main public space is the commercial center in old village and two wetland areas around grey water treatment wetlands.

The pedestrian network will connect a series of open spaces along the main route and space around water.

Each community will have a community garden where people can grow vegetable or flowers, and hold various activities.

82 vehicle road pedestrian & bike path

7m main road 4m neighborhood road 3m main path neighborhood path

Parking on ground fl oor Boat garage Parking halfl y underground

boating route green space that can be used for open space boat parking parking if necessary

open space along water community garden

open space along pedestrian route commercial area

wetland area

83 Wetland Area

Commercial Area in old village

84 Community Garden

By this urban structure, there will be a continuous pedestrian route without visual obstruction through the buildings. Since the ground fl oor are mostly share by the neighborhood, there will be lively urban life along the route.

standing on bridge riding on road before entering garage 85 Walk along canal

According to the survey (Huzhou Bureau of Statistics, 2009), although the current car ownership/ family is very low, it will increase dramatically with the economy development and urban expansion.

have a car 18.5% don't have a car plan to buy in 5% one year buy in several 18.4 years don't have live close 28.4% plan to work can't afford 36.8%

Since I want to dis-courage car use in this area, my plan will stick to 0.7 per family as permanent parking, but allows 0.15 per family more as on street parking. The parking space can still be increased if the residents give up their activity space above the garages to have double layer parking. It's hoped that this strategy can can encourage more car sharing or renting system in the community.

86 12.5.2 Building Scale

On building scale, the open space is also highly connected with water system

Open spaces through route of rainwater

Open spaces through route of rainwater

87 12.6 Climate adaptive considerations

12.6.1 Community Scale

There are mainly three considerations on this scale: inviting summer breeze in summer, have more sunshine in winter, and the function of water.

By this arrangement, each house can have good summer breeze and at least 1 hour of sunshine on December 22nd. The open spaces in the neighborhoods enjoy even more sunshine in winter and breeze in summer. More over, the open space will have many water surface to further adjust the micro-climate, and generatesvarious activities around it.

4-6 layers

2-3 layers

1 layer

Distribution of sunshine at 12:00 on December 22nd

Distribution of sunshine at 12:00 on December 22nd

88 Wind evironment in the community in summer

Water for cooling in summer

89 12.6.2 Building Scale

Cold lane is used as staircase corridor. Patios and galleries are also integrated in building for shading in summer.

Water in open space is also used for cooling effect, and various spaces along water is provided to make people fully enjoy the advantage of water

The proper distance between buildings is kept so it allows enough sunshine in winter but keeps compact as much as possible.

90 Air movement in housing area

Shadow of sun on Dec 22nd in housing area

staircase as wind corridor natural ventilation and lighting in garage

91 12.7 Pavement and plants

Nymphoidespeltata Coiocasia esculenta Nelumbo nucifera Zizania caducifl ora Zizania caducifl ora Miscanthus saccharifl oru Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv Lythraceae

traditional grey brick concrete brick pebble

Duchesnae concrete brick as step stone 92 In order to discuss the way for using indigenous plants and traditional material in the new housing area, I did a design for one public space around water in the neighborhood. Both traditional material and concrete are used on site, and the spatial form imitates the traditional step stones, but consists of pebbles, and has a much bigger scale. I also use this shape because it relates to the shape of fi sh ponds on site. Concrete bricks are used as step stones on the law because for its low price and neat appearance.

For the plants, the canal will have lotus and other wetland plants along banks; while the small stream connecting two canals will have wetland plants all across the stream bed.

93 94 Part IV Refl ection

13. Evaluation (95)

14. Acknowlegement (99)

15. Reference (101)

13. Evaluation 13. Evaluation

In this project, I try to develop a typology that can integrate the traditional experience and sustainable new urbanization principals. It adds more qualities for living on different scales.

13.1 Neighborhood Scale

On neighborhood scale, I developed a middle-rise unit, which has a similar FSI as the current middle rise housing, but have many additional patios and public spaces. It also has 10% of water surface as the basic unit for fl ood storage.

Type I Current Middle-rise typology FSI: 1.54 FSI: 1.73 GSI: 0.39 GSI: 0.29 OSR: 0.40 OSR: 0.40 Water Surface: 10% Water Surface: 0%

Another typology I develop is the low-rise villa. It has a lower FSI, and is mainly used for a better spatial quality and adds to the variety of house types so that the residents can be more mixed in the community.

Type II FSI: 0.65 GSI: 0.55 OSR: 0.67 House: 26 Water Surface: 7.9%

95 13.2 Community Scale

General Statistics ------a lower FSI, but have old village and big surface of water integrated inside.

GSI 0.51 0.21 0.3 0.19 0.28 L 1-2 5 2-7 3-17 1-6 FSI 1.0 1.1 1.6 1.16 0.91 OSR 0.48 0.72 0.44 0.71 0.80 Max. distance to water 100m 150+30m 200+35m 150+30m 15+30m Water surface inside community 0% 1% 0% 10% 17%

Open Space -----good space quality on different scales and pleasant network to connect between different levels

1000m

1000m 100m

200m 150m

water commercial space recreational space central open space

Climate ------Multiple canopy and effi cient ventilation

96 13.2 Region Scale On this scale, I compared my plan with the situation before urbanization, and the possible result according to the original plan. For my plan, I will assume all the housing area consists of pedestrian pockets with a mix-use inside. The proportion between residential and other function will be 3:2 according the proportion of whole research area on original plan. For the original plan, I will all its residential areas indicated on plan use the current typology which has been realized on one area of the site.

Finally, I find that, with the same target population, my plan is able to have much more water surface, and less paved area. Its flood storage capacity is even big than the situation before urbanization.

Total area Total area Total Total population Before Urbanisation of water of green paved (calculated as space area 45m2/capita)

10.25km2 40.03km2 5.82km2

My Plan

Use Mix-use pedestrian pocket: 13.2km2 33.5km2 9.4 km2 0.3millions (The proportion between resedential and other function is 3:2)

Percentage of Water: 21% Percentage of green: 50% Area of housing: 0.59km2 House: 4040

Original Plan

7.38 km2 29.5 km2 19.1km2 0.3millions

Use current typology with one function in each color: Percentage of Water: 5.8%

1.05km Percentage of green: 43% Area of housing: 0.73km2 House: 6890 97 98 14. Acknowledgement 14. Acknowledgement

First and foremost, I would like to show my deepest gratitude to my three mentors: Marjolein van Esch, Willem Hermans and Dirk Sijmons, who guided my research and design in every stage with enlightening instruction, impressive kindness and patience. It's their guidance that helps me to search the anwsers I always interested, or the aspects I didn't realize, and develop my small ideas step by step into a complete project.

Secondly, I shall extend my thanks to Maki Ryu, who helps me to get a better understanding of the traditional typology and its contemporary application.

Thirdly, I want to thank my parents, who provide me many valuable information about traditional experience and additional photos for the aspects I missed in my on site observation.

Then, I would also like to thank all my teachers who have taught me and helped me in TU Delft.

My sincere appreciation also goes to all the students in urban climate studio, and all my friends for their encouragement and support.

Last but not least, I'd like to thank Nuffi c and HSP Huyens Scholarship who supports my study in Netherland. I really have a fantastic period during these two years.

99 100 15. Reference 15 Reference

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