Urbanizing Chongming, a strategy

A new site specific city starts with the current identity, which is on Chongming Island defined by vast ribbon development. Villages are stretched along the roads, creating a pocket landscape. Each house is part of the network but also closely related to the landscape. To scale this system to a city we have to start with defining the boundaries and protect the open spaces by firm policy. Within these boundaries a city can and will develop, outside lays a ban on building to maintain the open spaces.

The new urban strategy is based on the current main infrastructure which will be strengthened by a new public transport system. These infrastructural backbones are fundamental to connect the different areas in the city. This makes it very important to set boundaries within a walking distance of maximum 15 minutes from the infrastructure. This means a maximum bandwidth of the backbones of 2 kilometers. Where ever you are, you’re always within short reach of public transport and landscape. A unique urban system. The presence of public transport, function of the open space and crossings of ribbons will lead to different reactions in the city. In function, density and development in time. With diversity as result.

Arnold van Ouwerkerk