Modern Landscape Architecture

Greenway Theory and Integrated Planning of Urban Green Space System---A Case Study of Yancheng City in Jiangsu Province

TONGXIANG SU, HAO WANG, KANG GU, WENJUN FEI, SHIGUANG SHEN College of Landscape Architecture Nanjing Forestry University Nanjing CHINA [email protected]

Abstract: Planning of urban green space system based on green way theory is characterized by connectivity, network structures and comprehensiveness. Based on greenway theory and relevant experience, the author elaborates on the necessity of protecting and restoring ecological system and urban ecological networks. By conducting a case study of Yancheng city in Jiangsu Province, this article introduces the distribution features of urban green resources and proposes building green space in cities and countrysides based on greenways. Thanks to the linkage of greenways, a dynamic green space network could be set up by green space in different natures, shapes and sizes

Key-Words: Landscape Architecture; Green Way; Planning of Greenway System; Yancheng City

Cities in China have witnessed a construction space system in China, based on Outline for Urban boom thanks to the deepening of industrialization Green Space System Planning issued by the and urbanization, but also have been confronted Ministry of Construction in 2002, provides the legal with a series of problems such as unrestricted urban framework for urban green land design as an sprawl, deterioration of ecological environment, and important part of urban special planning. Guided by homogeneity of city characteristics. The motto of this planning, different types of green areas are Shanghai World Expo 2010 is “Better City, Better designed and assigned to multiple functions. In Life”. However, the conflict between urban addition, the total coverage of green areas, rational construction and its adversary implications triggers scale of green space building, functions and layouts a discussion on how to define a “better city.” For of green space system are clarified and planned some, better city may boast busy traffic systems, according to the three basic criteria: ratio of green flourishing commercial districts and skyscrapers space, green coverage, and per capita public green springing up everywhere; while for others, better area. city must be blessed with vast areas of green land However, with the deepening of urban-rural and public parks. The hard truth is that today more integration and the rapid expansion of urban areas, than half of urban dwellers in China are kept away the previous planning for urban green space under from fresh and clean air and nearly one quarter of the urban-rural dual structure in unavoidably them are exposed to polluted air. Rivers are becoming outdated in that the instruction is contaminated and lakes eutrophicated. And other generally based on the separation between cities and problems such as inefficient urban garbage countryside. As for the three criteria, they can treatment, noise pollution and dust pollution have merely reflect the conditions of green space in two been taking a heavy toll. dimensions instead of a virtual 3D manner, thus Under this circumstance, urban green space failing to measure how rational the layout is. construction is playing an increasingly significant Therefore, the existing planning ideology is to be part in ecological improvement and environmental scientifically upgraded in the following aspects: protection. Urban green space, the only living urban First, the planning should focus not only on built-up infrastructure, serves as a green buffer shielding areas but also planning areas and administrative cities from pollutions with an irreplaceable role in areas. Second, by redefining the functions, keeping urban ecological balance, promoting structures, and layouts of green space to highlight biodiversity and improving urban landscape. their indispensable role in coordinating development Besides, it is also a mirror of urban civilization and between cities and countryside, the planning is city identity. At present, the planning of urban green supposed to boost further urban-rural integration in

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China. Only through this method by linking urban Eliot, Wisconsin Heritage Trail Proposal by Phillips green space and their rural counterparts and Lewis in 1964, New York Greenway Planning in improving the design and functions of green space, 1993 and the long-term greenway planning of New can problems mentioned above be eradicated and England by three professors from the Department of cities better. Landscape and Regional Planning of University of In recent years, greenway is becoming a heated Massachusett. academic issue thanks to the introduction and implementation of greenway theory. Researches on greenway planning have been conducted in 2 Major Benefits of Greenways countries like the US, Canada, Germany, Australia, Benefits of greenways evolve with the time. At Brazil and Singapore, reflecting rising attention to the earliest phase of greenway development, the comprehensive role of greenways[1]. The greenways were built as bikeways so that cyclists Overall Plan for Greenway Networks at Pearl River could enjoy beautiful scenery while cycling. Later, Delta was issued in 2010 which took the lead in more functions were assigned to greenways in a proposing establishing greenway networks for structured and organized manner. In the 1960s, multiple purposes including ecological, economic more attention was paid to the economic benefit of and social purposes[2]. Under new greenways. And ecological value, biodiversity and circumstances ,an integrated study of greenway sustainable development were considered since the planning and the planning of urban green space 1980s. Recently, with the emergence of post- would be maximize the role of greenways in modernism, social purpose of greenway has become boosting urban-rural integration and a landscape- the new focus. Given this shift, multi-layered and ecosystem-oriented development. multi-functional greenways would become the norm in the future.

1 An overview of Greenway Theory Greenway is a new word with different meanings. 2.1 Ecological Benefit Perhaps the most widely accepted definition of Greenways function as protectors and preservers greenways at present is provided by Ahern who of the ecosystem. Ecologically speaking, they are believed that greenways are networks of land that managed mainly for the following purposes: linking are planned, designed and managed for multiple different types of open space and ecological patches, purposes including ecological, recreational, cultural, buffering plants against adversary external forces, aesthetic, or other purposes compatible with the helping restore the disturbed ecosystem and serving concept of sustainable land use[3]. Greenways offer as ideal habitat for wildlife. In this way, people with access to open spaces and links together environment is better protected. Besides, greenways rural and urban spaces like a giant circulation also contribute to the upgrading of green space system. A typical greenway should be a linear open layout and enriching urban landscape. For example, space with spatial connectivity, multifunctional and green belts could be arranged scattering suburban conductive to sustainable development, most areas so as to facilitate the rational sprawl of cities. importantly, greenway planning should supplement other non-linear landscape planning. The role of greenway planning is not to replace other kinds of 2.2 Public Recreation and Leisure planning but to form an integrated urban landscape By linking together parks, natural reserves, by linking other non-linear landscape systems [4]. scenic sites, historic relics and commercial and cultural facilities, greenways offer numerous America is one of the first countries to develop opportunities for public recreation, health and greenways. Fabo divides the development of fitness. For example, they serve as close-to-nature greenways in the US from the end of 19th century to fitness resources for outdoor activities such as the beginning of the 21st century into five periods. walking, jogging, cycling and fishing. Thanks to A representative example is the Boston Park System greenways, green transport and a healthy low- designed by the Frederick Law Olmsted, also known carbon lifestyle are promoted. as “Emerald Necklace”, which is a landmark work during the evolution of greenway development. Other historically significant greenways are the 2.3 Economic Benefits national landscape planning by Warren H Manning, Massachusetts Open Space Proposal by Charles

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Greenways are a boost to regional economy. Network structure of greenway is mainly Matching the greenway planning and sightseeing featured by width, composition, internal and sport industry would be a driving force of local environment and shape, among which the width and tourism and service industry, thus promoting linkage of greenways is the main player in adjusting restructuring and economic growth. the ecological function of greenways. Greenway planning is not only a matter of enhancing connectivity between green patches but to increase 3 Integration of greenway theory and connectivity between different landscape elements. For example, watercourses and greenways along the planning of urban green space roads could be converted to ecological corridors system linking together virgin lands and public parks. History of research abroad on greenways could Greenways are designed in network structures so as be traced back over 150 years.. In America, a multi- to sustain the continuity of ecosystem, form the layered planning system has been set up at both overall landscape and offset negative effects on the national and regional level, covering national functioning of ecosystem. strategies, legislation, and regulations on land use and planning. In contrast with this sound mechanism, a comprehensive legal and regulatory system is 3.3 Integrity absent in China and any planning regardless of their A comprehensive planning is needed in the type, can only be implemented within the greenway system. Greenways covering multiple framework stipulated in Urban and Rural Planning jurisdictions and levels should be considered. Law. Therefore, how to incorporate greenway Guided by an overall strategy, greenways are planning into the national planning system, designed and managed in both urban and rural areas especially the system of urban green space planning to link villages, towns, planning areas and is a central task facing greenway planning and downtown areas. A greenway system based on building in China. From the perspective of greenways is to analyze greenway elements at greenway theory and its integration with urban national, regional and community level by linking green space planning, features of greenways are downtown areas, planning areas and administrative concluded as follows: areas to make the planning more targeted and feasible.

3.1 Connectivity Greenways are not isolated parks but inter- connected spatial grids designed to link together 4 Case practice-taking Green Space different greenway elements and offer protection. System Planning of Yancheng City of The central idea of greenway theory is the Jiangsu Province as an Example connectivity, which refers to: 4.1 Status Analysis  Selective connection between resources, Yancheng City is located in the middle reaches features and processes of natural system; of northern coastal Suzhou. It is bounded on the east  Connection between parks, virgin lands, by the Huanghai Sea; on the west by Taizhou city, wetlands, and coastal areas. Network structure take Yangzhou city and Huaian city; on the north by shape due to this connection which sustain the Lianyungang city; and on the south by Nantong city. functioning of ecosystem and promote the Yancheng City has a total land area of 16972km2 prosperity of wildlife; and the downtown area is 1862km2. It has four  Connection between instruments and districts, governing two cities---Dongtai city and Among these different types of connection, the Dafeng city and five counties which are Xiangshui, primary one is the linking of ecological networks Binhai, Funing, Jianhu and Shenyang. The coverage which combines ecological, social and economical of coastal mud flat is 4550km2, taking up 3/4 of the sphere by planning description, defining the value of whole coastal mud flat coverage of Jiangsu province natural resources and maximizing the function of and 14% of the whole country. open spaces. (1)Topograpy The city is characterized by alluvial plain formed by rivers, sea and lakes and its terrain is low and flat. 3.2 Network Structure Most of the city’ elevation is less than 5m and the city is made up by three plain areas which are

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Lixiahe plain area, Huanghuai plain area and Binhai 4.2 Green Space System Planning plain area. The downtown is located in the middle With the green way as its basis, the green space part of Lixiahe area of northern Suzhou. This area is system in Yancheng City fully capitalizes its flat and low-lying whose average ground elevation superior natural resources and combines with the is ranging from 1.6m to 2.4m with the exception of protection of historical and cultural city, ecological centre of the old city which is about 4m (the ground environment protection and tourism development elevation of Huanghai plain area is the same). With planning. The urban green landscape is integrated the west part higher than the east part, the terrain of through organic combination of the network centre downtown is simple which categorized as (large scale green land, scenic spot, forests in suburb, accumulation plain divided by Chuan Changhe, Gu farmland, park, green land at streets and small parks) Xiehu plain area on the west and Binhai plain area and green ways (rivers, roads and greenbelt in on the east. farmland), which enables the green spaces with (2)Urban Characteristics different natures, shapes and scales form an Slogan of the city characteristics: “golden integrated, holistic and continuous green network[8]. beaches, rich flora and fauna, green forests, The integration of green ways and green space tenacious character and livable city”. See Table1 in system planning pays attention on protecting the Appendix. urban and rural areas or the landscapes of residence (3)Comprehensive Evaluation of Green Space and living regions, which pays more attention on the On the basis of reality research, under the help of land utilization rate. Depending on the green way of main current situation information like aerial photo , rivers and roads, its most essences is to better satellite picture and topographic map, positioning, restrict the extension of Yancheng City in the future, qualitative and quantitative analysis are done to the foster the relations between the isolated green layout, structure and feature of all kinds of the green patches and the urban green spaces with the natural space in downtown of Yancheng city. Combining environment in the outskirts of suburbs and the main factors like downtown density distribution optimize the structures of urban green space system of buildings and population, guidance can be made so as to enhance the stability of the urban ecological to the next step of green space planning. According system. Green ways, as a kind of landscape element, to the remote-sensing image, the statistical result coordinates the relationships of green way network, shows that: road transportation network, artificial construction The downtown area has rich environmental land and other open spaces in the city. resources. However, due to the imperfect ecological The green way is the “skeleton” of the regional elements which lack large-area ecological corridor, green space system in Yancheng City. And in order thus the biodiversity cannot be guaranteed. Within to safeguard the ecological safety, highlight the the city and countryside area, the open space is local natural and human features and improve the seriously fragmented and the green space support is urban and rural environment landscape, the regional lacking between the zoological connection of built- green space is a green open space with the up area, planning area and administrative region of a influences of the nature, human value and regions, city. which restricted development and is under long and Downtown comprehensive park, belt-shaped strict protection; the green way network is the park, riverside green space and roadside green space striped open space with the function of recreation, are in uneven distribution which lack the rational which can embody recreational value of the natural distribution on the space, for example, in the west of and human resources and protect the ecological the old downtown, there are large residential area environment at the same time. with only one comprehensive park which cannot (1) System planning of Green Land in urban meet the need of the local residents while in the areas south, where the main part are administrative place A harmonious combination between Green Land and business areas, too many comprehensive parks Construction and space layout structure in urban and can be found which are not needed. rural areas can be achieved through emphasizing the The high-temperature region of Yancheng city’s combination of green land in urban areas and natural urban heat island is mainly located in the main topography and drainage system, following the urban area and development zone, while the low- principles of urban-rural integration, and temperature region is in the outskirts and Dacong coordinating the relationship between environment, lake area. The more concentrated part of urban heat resource protection and urban development. island has intensive buildings, concentrated A multi-level, network-based urban ecological industries and bad greening effect. green land space system, “Four Horizontal and Four

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Vertical and Four Areas”, can be established by agriculture, urban ecological buffer, ecological linking up urban, suburban, rural natural and human transition zone, the center high-density built-up resources through the Green Land ( See Fig.1) areas ‘Four Areas’---- the costal conservation area, "Plaques" ---- the planning area, natural resources agro-ecological zones, construction of urban Green better nature reserves, scenic woodlands, such as the Land, ecological transition zone large vertical Lake Scenic Area, Sheyang Crane ‘Four Horizontal’---- North Jiangsu irrigation Reserve, Ocean Bay National Scenic Area canal ecological zone, Sheyang River ecological Planning focuses on adhering to the "multiple zone, Xing Yanggang ocean port ecological zone, composite" of the overall objectives, including the Huaiyan salty landscape protection of natural resources, local culture, mining, ‘Four vertical’----Tongyu Canal ecological zones, recreation and other activities of the organization; coastal highway shelterbelt, the new long railway establishing convenient, good accessible, cultural section Yancheng to the MSC with shelter belts, 231 and strong, prominent landscape features and safe , provincial natural and cultural landscapes slow space; promoting the city into rural, urban The key point of planning is to integrate the rural penetration, enhancing green space domain-wide natural and cultural landscape connectivity and integrity ( See Fig.4). resources and establish a set of ecological protection, (3) the central city green space system planning recreation, history, culture and other functions in In the central city green space system planning, one of the greenway network. one should emphasize the city's accessibility and the The ecological restoration of alongside green natural intimacy, focusing on urban open space land is realized by the greenways in order to integrity and system. Full awareness of the "Green enhance the connectivity of green land and integrity, Road" open space in urban planning in the core shaping the ecological and cultural image, forming position, and through the "Green Road", one should both historical and cultural characteristics of the build urban ecological networks, enabling the ecological landscape corridor, therefore, it can formation of the road along the river and the green present a greenway network through the coastal belts and the belts at all levels within the park, green beaches, historical, forested wetlands and other street to be linked into networks and complementary landscape. ( See Fig.2) form a coherent ecological system, a comprehensive (2) System Planning of Green Land Area improvement of urban green space system Relying on the surrounding open green spaces of functional structure. planning area, water bodies and farmland, combined In order to build Yancheng into a green and with the development of urban space eastward and liveable garden, the conflict between urban southward trend, county parks planning and natural construction and natural resources should be ecologically sensitive zones, and with green space, eliminated as much as possible, and the stable eco- the zone creates a coordinated urban and rural environment should be faired dotted by green belts development, resource conservation, and local and land, which form a prefect body with the city culture shows a good combination. and becomes the eco-network of the city. By doing By introducing the eco-city greenway system to so, the city can get a "Double loop and double zone, the urban area, it can integrate with the central urban cross green corridors, green axis, many garden" green space system, open up the ecological corridor, compound green network structure ( See Fig.5). form green greenway network distribution patterns, “Outer ring" ---- the outer ring by the salt Jing, thus making the organic integration of urban life and the salt sea, Shen Hai perimeter highway shelterbelt country life and the formation of urban-rural composed of three integration mode. Planning with urban ecological "Inner" ---- inner city North Central, South Central, requirements, the natural shape and layout East Central, Western shelter belts characteristics of the planning area, Yancheng eco- "Cross the Green Corridor" ---- Tongyu Riverside green structure, is summarized as “Green Corridor Aqua Gallery, Waterfront pergola ocean port Network City, Four Areas, More Plague’ as the "Eastern" ---- integrated ecological functional zones main ecological network. ( See Fig.3) "West Side" ----Eco Hub Area "Horizontal green corridor" ---- salt Huai "Green axis" ---- Chuanchang River, a small new Speedway pergola, Pergola Ocean port waterfront Riverside Aqua Gallery, Century Boulevard, "Vertical green corridor" ---- Tongyu Riverside Parkway road pergola, etc. Aqua Gallery, 204 State Road pergola, Coastal "Multi-Park" ---- People's Park, Salt ditch Park, Expressway pergola Century Park, poly Lake Park "Four Areas" ---- suburban area of ecological

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Relying on the focus of public transport system Delta[J]. Tropical Geography, 2010, (5): loop to plan key series urban roads, Waterfront 515-520 Road, the iconic nodes and other public spaces, can [3] Ahern, J. Greenways as a Planning make residents make full use of the greenway Strategy[J]. Landscape and Urban Planning, network, form urban health leisure system, give full 1995, 33(1-3) 131-155. play to the function of urban garden green land [4]Zhou Nianxing, Yu Kongjian, Huang comprehensive benefit, reasonable arrange all kinds of green space, improve urban green quantity, plant Zhengfang. Greenways and its Research landscape effect and ecological effect; and achieve Progress[J]. Journal of Ecology, 2006, (9): overall layout to highlight series: urban periphery 3108-3116 big green, green corridor and internal green [5]Liu Binyi, Wen Quanping. Thinking on the patch;Combining with historical culture and green Urban-rural Integration Greenways System space construction,Transport hub and protective Planning[J]. International Urban Planning, belt. ( See Fig.6). 2007(1)：84-89. [6]Wu Renwei, Fu Xi’e. The Concept of Green

Infrastructure and its Overview on Its 5 Conclusion and Discussion Research Progress[J]. International Urban The green way is the combination of natural Planning, 2006 (5): 67-71. protection and construction as well as the [7]Zhou Yanni, Yin Haiwei. framework linking the urban ecological network. At The Theory and the same time, the various forms of green ways are Practice of Green Space Infrastructure also effective communicative tools, which can lead Planning in Foreign Counrties[J]. Urban the green space system which is the attachment of Development Research, 2010 (8): 87-93. the city to transform to the lifeline guarantee system [8] Liu Song. Building the Urban Forest and of the city. The green way, as an important Improving the Ecological Environment in manifestation of urban green space, serves for Shanghai[J]. Shanghai Environment protection and utilization, connecting the urban Sciences, 2002 (3): 84-89. green spaces with other types spreading from city, [9] Liu Song, Liu Binyi, Wen Quanping. Urban country and to wilderness. Once they form a Green Space System Planning[J].China network, they can hold recreational activities with Architecture & Building Press, 2011. great ecological benefits. Although the green ways [10] can be seen in the internal side of the city, they can Urban Green Space System Planning in mainly be manifested in the green spaces with all Yancheng City in Jiangsu Province (2011- kinds of lines. But its true meaning is to break the 2030). College of Landscape Architecture limit between city and rural areas, integrating the of Nanjing Forestry University, 2012. city with rural areas and immersing the rural elements into city which serves as not only the connection of natural elements but also the integration of lifestyles. It takes green ways as carriers but beyond the material forms, serving as the representation of society and culture. Therefore, the urban green space system planning moves to the planning from material one to the one combined with material and spirit [9].

References: [1]Tan Shaohua, Zhao Wanmin. The Progress and Outlook of Green Space Planning [J]. Chinese Garden, 2007 (2): 85- Research 89 [2]Xu Wenxiong, Li Biyin. The Role of Green Way Construction on Urban-rural Integration Development of Pearl River

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Appendix

Classificatio Presentation n of city of urban Content analysis characteristics characteristics

wet land Yancheng mud flat is the biggest one in the coastal Ecological areas of China and has rich biological resources characteristics biodiversity On the basis of the nature protection area, to protect protection natural habitat of the species in order to protect biodiversity

peony Yancheng city’s dead wood peony is called rare flower of Jiangsu and a special kill of China

Construction Rich and criss-cross river system of “City of Rivers”

Local culture Local traditional art represented by acrobatics, Huai Culture opera, handiwork characteristics Sea salt Sea salt culture is the culture root and important culture element of Yancheng city, is the first name card of cultural Yancheng construction and is the only one provincially administered municipality directly named by Yan(salt)

Cultural Yancheng city is in possession of the memorial inheritance of the establishment of the New Fourth Army revolution which is New Fourth Army the biggest, most resourceful and most representative. It is the national patriotism education base and is one of the core content of the Yancheng city’s characteristic culture

Landscape waterfront To construct characteristic waterfront landscape on characteristic landscape Xianfeng island, Huanghai park, Chuangchang, Yingbin park, People's Park and west part of Xinyang harbor

ecotourism To develop ecotourism by natural resources,mainly Industry wet land characteristic marine To develop industry of marine economy economy service

brand enterprise To boost the co-improvement of the brand and city image

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Fig.1 the city green space system planning structure Fig. 2 the city Greenway Planning Graph Source: Yancheng city green space system planning of Source: Yancheng city green space system planning of Jiangsu (2011-2030). College of landscape Jiangsu (2011-2030). College of landscape architecture, Nanjing architecture, Nanjing Forestry University.2012. Forestry University.2012.

Fig. 3 the planning area green space system planning structure Source: Yancheng city green space system planning of Jiangsu (2011-2030). College of landscape architecture, Nanjing Forestry University.2012.

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Fig. 4 the planning area Greenway Planning Graph Source: Yancheng city green space system planning of Jiangsu (2011-2030). College of landscape architecture, Nanjing Forestry University.2012.

Fig. 5 the planning structure of urban green system in the center Source: Yancheng city green space system planning of Jiangsu (2011-2030). College of landscape architecture, Nanjing Forestry University.2012.

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Fig. 6 the Greenway Planning Center City Source: Yancheng city green space system planning of Jiangsu (2011-2030). College of landscape architecture, Nanjing Forestry University.2012.

Basic Information of Authors: Su Tongxiang/born in 1973/male/Local Rizhao people in Shandong/master degree/PhD of Landscape Architecture/lecturer of College of Landscape Architecture of Nanjing Forestry University (Nanjing 210037) Wang Hao/born in 1963/male/Local Jiangyan people in Jiangsu/PhD/vice president of Nanjing Forestry University/ Professor of Landscape Architecture (Nanjing, 210037) Gu Kang/born in 1971/male/ Local Linquan people in Anhui/postgraduate/associate professor of College of Landscape Architecture of Nanjing Forestry University (Nanjing, 210037) Fei Wenjun/born in 1982/male/Local Suzhou people in Jiangsu/PhD/ associate professor of College of Landscape Architecture of Nanjing Forestry University (Nanjing, 210037) Shen Shiguang/born in 1976/male/Local Heze people in Shandong/PhD/ associate professor of College of Landscape Architecture of Nanjing Forestry University (Nanjing, 210037) Contact Information: 13915962927 [email protected]

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