client: Kunshan Planning Department
area: 240ha
completion: 2015
It became evident, with the advent of the Ring Road project, that the Kunshan Open Space System lacked an overall framework that could determine or inform the integration of the road within the urban fabric. iPD undertook a broad study to collect an inventory of the city, and proposed a logical system based on current conditions as well as potential future scenarios. The framework for the existing situation revolved largely around land use (primarily open space), water (canal) systems and infrastructure (roads, rail and paths) as well as community and other facilities. Proposing a system for a future scenario involved identifying portions of land that can contribute to the open space framework to create ecological systems (corridors, breeding grounds and urban water treatment areas), and improve connectivity (alternate transport) and accessibility to various open space categories (local, community and regional facilities) within the city.