China's ancient capital to get stunning waterfront

A landscape masterplan for the development of 30 kilometres of prime waterfront is coming up in Nanjing, one of China’s four great ancient capitals and the second largest commercial centre in the East China region, in preparation for the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games.

The masterplan designed by Atkins will provide connectivity and access along its length addressing of industrial sites and urban dereliction as well as linking with recent new developments and existing open space.

The waterfront draws inspiration from the local silk industry which produces brocade known as Nanjing Yunjin, a series of weaving patterns using a consistent palette of colour threads.

The city of Nanjing, on the banks of the River Yangtze, incorporates some of China’s most important historical, ecological and social landmarks and this project is part of a major masterplan to both consolidate and celebrate these aspects within the overall riverside corridor, according to Atkins.

Covering an area of 11 sq km, Atkins’ design incorporates seven landscape and activity zones which interconnect yet remain distinctive. The zones feature tourism, leisure, commercial facilities and incorporate natural landscape highlights.

Not only will the improvements provide better access to these key features, especially for the visitors to the Games but will provide a lasting legacy celebrating the heritage on Nanjing along its waterfront.

Atkins was the official engineering design services provider for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and is currently overseeing the transformation of the Olympic Park into an exciting new visitor destination and community park.