Jiangbei Liyue Water City

Land, space planning and design of Liaocheng High-speed Railway New Area

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Liaocheng City is located in the western part of Shandong Province, next to the famous Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. It has a rich history and culture. To adapt to changing circumstances, Liaocheng is actively changing its economy. It's working hard to achieve high-quality economic growth and aims to lead in the development of Western Shandong.

Following a new land and space plan, Liaocheng wants to become known as a national hub for history and culture. It also aims to be a significant education center, connecting Hebei, Shandong, and Henan. Additionally, Liaocheng strives to be a hub for advanced manufacturing along the lower Yellow River.

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In June 2021, ISA Internationales Stadtbauatelier and Qingdao Urban Planning and Design Institute took charge of a significant project. We won a prestigious competition and were proud to collaborate with our valued client, the Liaocheng City Natural Resources and Planning Bureau.

Through hard work in different project phases, we have played a crucial part in helping Liaocheng realize its vision of creating an exciting new gateway for the future.

The Future Gateway

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Throughout its long history, Liaocheng's prosperity has been closely linked to its waterways, which have supported a thriving trade scene and a diverse range of cultural groups. As time has passed, this ancient Chinese city by the water has not only seen the rise of many talented individuals but has also embraced literature as its core and water as its poetic essence. This unique blend has nurtured a seamless connection between history and culture, harmoniously merging with the flow of modern civilization.

With the introduction of high-speed rail networks, Liaocheng is on the verge of becoming a significant regional city at the crossroads of three major urban areas and the Beijing-Kowloon High-speed Railway/Zhengzhou-Jiujiang High-speed Railway. We anticipate that Liaocheng will shift from being just a transportation hub to becoming a hub for economic development driven by transportation.

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By following the path of development set by the high-speed rail zone and taking advantage of its unique opportunities, the plan has defined a specific purpose for the high-speed rail new area:

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-At the regional level, it serves as the base for regional headquarters for Hebei, Shandong, and Henan.

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-At the provincial level, it focuses on fostering the Shandong Digital Innovation Industry Cluster.

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-At the city level, it takes on the role of an innovation pilot zone for Liaocheng's modern service industry.

Three Major Industries

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Three key industrial development strategies have been designed for the high-speed rail new area

Science and Technology Innovation Industry: In the realm of Science and Technology Innovation, the high-speed rail new area is set to have a significant impact within the Beijing-Hong Kong National Innovation Axis (also known as the Beijing-Kowloon Corridor). This area will harness the digital technology resources of Beijing-Xiong and address Shandong's investment priorities. This strategic move will stimulate the development of Liaocheng's digital science and technology innovation sector, establishing a platform for the exhibition and exchange of Beijing-Xiong's technological advancements, and fostering digital innovation.

Trade and Logistics Industry: The High-speed Rail New Area is focused on creating a digital trade and logistics center that brings together four vital elements: logistics, business activities, capital transactions, and data sharing. This initiative is aimed at turning Liaocheng into a regional hub for logistics and trade, a pivotal link for information exchange, and a central resource hub for collaboration.

High-Quality Urban Modern Service Industry: In response to changing urban consumption patterns and a variety of business models, the High-speed Rail New Area is working towards developing a top-notch urban modern service sector. This transformation combines urban services with technology, experience, and culture, with a specific goal of establishing a new innovation hub called the "Modern Service Innovation Pilot Zone" in Liaocheng.

The forthcoming Liaocheng High-speed Railway New District will utilize the high-speed rail hub to link three important national strategic corridors: Beijing-Guangzhou, Beijing-Kowloon, and Beijing-Shanghai, along with connections to Xiongan, Zhengzhou, and Jinan. This initiative will integrate science and technology innovation services, logistics and trade, and high-quality urban services to establish a regional-level meeting point and a comprehensive city service center.

Liyue Shuicheng

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This plan is centered around the concept of Jiangbei Liyue Water City and seeks to reimagine traditional Chinese urban wisdom in this area. In the northern part of the High-speed Railway New Area, a modern water city pays homage to the ancient Dongchang city, preserving the legacy of cities north of the Yangtze River. In the southern part, a lush green network expands the ecological space, promoting harmony between nature and human well-being.

Anchored by the high-speed rail hub, this development extends eastward to the city's core, creating a vibrant urban center. In the middle, it stretches north and south through a network of public services, forming a distinctive urban gathering space. To the west, it connects to regional transportation routes, while to the east, it addresses the development needs of the old city, resulting in a city layout featuring industry in the west and residential areas in the east.

Using a spatial framework centered on the red and green axes and northern and southern centers, this plan caters to the requirements of both industrial and residential areas, resulting in the creation of integrated communities. The high-speed rail hub serves as an energy source propelling growth along the red axis, while top-notch urban services elevate each community along the green axis. This gives rise to the diverse and dynamic Liaocheng High-speed Railway New District, serving as a hub for various industries and activities.

Furthermore, a brand-new city called Jiangbei Liyue is under development to welcome tourists and visitors from all corners of the globe.

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In the past the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal brought 400 years of prosperity to Liaocheng. Today, as Jiangbei Water City connects with the influence of high-speed rail, we witness the gradual emergence of a bustling and well-organized new water city.

Water City Snapshot 1: A Super Urban Service Center Amidst Urban Landscapes

Starting from the high-speed rail station in the central area, the urban development axis extends into the high-speed rail new area, gathering functions such as regional headquarters, digital innovation, and business services. It shapes a super-service hub amidst urban landscapes, intersecting with the urban public service green axis in the central Youth Park nestled within the urban forest. Through the comprehensive platform in front of the station, the flow of people converging from the high-speed rail and light rail is quickly directed into the service hub. A series of vibrant functions and landscape spaces interact, continuously radiating and extending the vitality of the hub, comprehensively integrating into the high-speed rail new area's interior.

The super service center will serve as a symbol of the new, dynamic connection between people and water. The waterfront space on the ground floor will seamlessly blend with a variety of businesses, leisure activities, cultural entertainment, business hotels, conferences, and exhibitions. Above, multi-level skywalks will connect recreational areas, leisure spots, and cultural and creative industries. Neighborhoods, corporate buildings, headquarters, and markets will all face the water, creating a dynamic interface that bridges urban landscapes and rivers, fostering a three-dimensional city-water interaction.

Water City Scene 2: A New Science and Technology Hub Surrounded by Water

?The urban public service axis intersects with the historical axis of the old city, seamlessly merging the traditions of Dongchang ancient city with contemporary urban features. This fusion creates a vibrant northern living space bordered by clear waters, giving rise to a series of integrated community complexes that blend industry and urban living.

Within this smart living space, you'll find science and technology industry services alongside a range of residential amenities, including business offices, public services, and art training facilities, all situated next to the water. Together, they establish a dynamic service hub within the High-speed Rail New Area.

On the western side, powered by technology innovation services, we'll establish a center for technology innovation and manufacturing services. We'll extend this to create a zone for shared production and city services, catering to various organizations on both sides. Our focus will be on developing the digital economy, technology research and development, converting achievements into practical solutions, and accelerating startup incubation. The goal is to create a dynamic and integrated layout that breathes life into a thriving landscape of digital technology innovation.

To the east of the living area, the Jiangbei Shuicheng International Community Group, situated along the water, assumes the role of education and training previously hosted by the smart living area. It introduces international school facilities, high-end medical services, and fashionable businesses, fostering the integrated growth of premium communities to the east. This creates a multifaceted industrial and residential landscape for the New Water City.

Water City Scene 3: A Business and Industrial Oasis Surrounded by Nature

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The urban public service axis extends southward, merging with the natural beauty of the surroundings. Multiple water features combine to create a southern ecological living area. High-quality research and innovative spaces encircle this ecological zone and expand outward to a shared service area, propelling the growth of neighboring industrial and residential communities.

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On the eastern side, the Academician Square Group employs a T-shaped research service axis to construct a research park consisting of R&D centers, laboratories, and talent communities, establishing an R&D and innovation hub within an ecological oasis.

To the west, efficient regional transportation facilitates the layout of logistics and trade areas. This region is driven by a composite service axis, which integrates various functions such as R&D innovation, e-commerce logistics services, and smart logistics parks, all interconnected by ecological corridors.

Liaocheng West Station

As we step out of Liaocheng West Station amidst the bustling crowd, the smart-designed station square and second-floor platform guide us into the picturesque Yuntai Garden. The smooth connection between high-speed rail, light rail, and pedestrian pathways ensures a convenient and comfortable transfer experience. Supported by eco-friendly and efficient transportation, this area is set to become a regional hub for recreation and a vibrant CBD (Central Business District) that combines the best of ecological vitality.

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The future Liaocheng High-speed Railway New District will be a regional urban center blending industrial dynamism with city living, drawing scientific and technological talent.

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It will be a city of traditions and contemporary culture in northern Jiangbei, seamlessly combining diverse dynamic spaces and urban functions, continuously enhancing the allure of the waterfront city.

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Moreover, it will serve as an eco-friendly urban exhibition space, harmoniously blending nature with urban aesthetics.