Zigong Dongxingsi Waterfront Park by Martha Schwartz Partners

Built in 2020 / 2025 Built Landscapes / 2025 Entries / 2025 Public Projects / China /
msp.world

Zigong Dongzingsi Waterfront Park is located in Sichuan province in Southwestern China. The project includes a linear waterfront park and several gardens for an adjacent residential complex. It transforms the once polluted and disconnected waterfront into a dynamic and revitalised urban public space. It succeeds in reconnecting the city to the Fuxi River with a bold strategy and ecological innovation.

Covering an area of 50,000 square meters, the design of the space has redefined the relationship between nature and city, whilst establishing the area as a landmark destination. It invites the local community and visitors to experience the riverfront as a vibrant civic space where a variety of events can be enjoyed.

The landscape design weaves cultural storytelling into its very fabric. With the design paying homage to the mythical creature of the dragon – a powerful symbol in Chinese culture, and the rich history of dinosaur fossil discoveries in Zigong. Drawing from these sources of inspiration, we developed visually striking large-scale art installations within the waterfront space. Dramatic sculptural elements reminiscent of dinosaur ribs are repeated along the promenade, serving as retaining structures for the terraces, whilst celebrating the vast number of dinosaur discoveries made in the region in the 1980s from the Middle Jurassic era. Using curvilinear forms, we reconfigured the steep and inaccessible embankments, creating a dynamic interplay with the meandering river currents and swirling eddies. This approach produced a fluid and immersive landscape concept that organically adapts to and enhances the natural terrain.

The waterfront now supports a diverse program of activity, including community gatherings, festivals, and everyday leisure. Flexible spaces accommodate Zigong’s renowned Lantern Festival, dragon boat races, and informal play or quiet contemplation. The terraced promenade provides accessible pedestrian connections with integrated steps and ramps that remain functional even when partially submerged during low water levels. A timber deck near the water brings people directly to the water’s edge, encouraging interaction and appreciation of the Fuxi River. The paths expand to form pocket parks and plazas, or contract to form smaller rooms for more intimate gatherings.

Innovative sustainability strategies address critical environmental challenges. Once prone to seasonal flooding, the site now features integrated sustainable urban drainage systems. A newly created sponge park and series of rain gardens slow, filter, and absorb stormwater. These systems not only mitigate flood risks but also animate the landscape, feeding into cascading waterfalls and a sculptural stream that houses floating wetlands. These biologically engineered rafts purify stormwater before returning to the river.

The Zigong Waterfront has become a scheme where heritage, ecology, and innovation intersect. It honours the region’s past while embracing the environmental and social needs of its future. As a result, it has become a world-class destination appreciated by residents and visitors alike.

• Other credits:
Client: Zigong City Construction Investment and Development