LOLA designed 192-hectare Haitang River Eco Park II, transforming a 10-kilometre industrial riverfront into a thriving tropical ecological corridor. Asia’s first large-scale urban rewilding initiative integrates ecological restoration, biodiversity conservation and public engagement, showcasing how urban growth can coexist with nature. The result is a resilient living system, hosting 20+ amphibian species, 30 small reptiles, 300 invertebrates, and 120+ bird species, achieving a Shannon-Biodiversity-Index of 3.08-comparable to primary rainforests.
The park’s path network prioritizes high-performance, permeable natural materials to reinforce the ecological integrity of the river park. To withstand the severe coastal environment and strong saline-alkali corrosion of Sanya, all hardscaping elements are carefully selected for maximum durability and low-maintenance longevity. In key feature zones and focal loop paths, a custom-designed marine-themed resin-bound gravel (polymer-bound aggregate) is deployed. This specialized paving incorporates local seashells and sea-inspired aggregate tones, serving as a subtle design narrative that echoes the city’s profound oceanic identity while remaining fully porous and resilient.
The lighting scheme adopts a strategic spatial gradient to balance urban vibrancy with ecological sensitivity. At municipal interfaces and primary park entrances, more pronounced, visible illumination is used as distinct civic beacons, safely guiding foot traffic and welcoming visitors into the park. Conversely, within the inner park and riverfront sanctuary zones, the design strictly transitions to low-impact, dark-sky-friendly lighting.
Technical Information
Number of new trees: about 12,000
Species of Trees: key species: Ficus benjamina, Ficus auriculata, Cocos nucifera L., Bismarckia nobilis, Brachychiton rupestris, Samanea saman, Borassus flabellifer, Ficus elastica, Washingtonia filifera, Artocarpus altilis, Kigelia Africana, Terminalia catappa, Pterocarpus indicus, Dracaena cochinchinensis, Ceiba speciosa, Mayodendron igneum, Deloniregia, Lagetstroemia speciosa
Species of Shrubs: Key species: Ravenala madagascariensis, Bismarckia nobilis, Beaucarnea recurvata, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Schizolobium parahyba, Livistona humilis, Euphorbia royleana, Hylocereus undatus (Haw.) Britt. et Rose, Licuala grandis, Heliconia rostrata, Calathea lutea, Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum, Cycas revoluta Thunb., Euphorbia tirucalli Linn, Yucca rostrata, Schefflera macrostachya, Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, Yucca elephantipes
Turf: Axonopus compressus (Sw.) P. Beauv., Zoysia matrella
Sustainable standard: Sustainable Sites Platinum Certificate
Haitang River Eco Park II
Location: Sanya, Hainan, China
Landscape design: LOLA Landscape Architects
Client: China Resources Land Limited
Project Management: Shenzhen Runzhi Urban Construction Management Co., Ltd.
Construction Drawings: Guangzhou Pubang Landscape Co., Ltd.
Lighting Design: Handsome Design Consultants (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Signage: Shenyang Yibang Qicai Enterprise Marketing Planning Co., Ltd.
Ecological Consultant: Shanghai Zhijie Architectural Design Consulting Co., Ltd.
Flower Border Design: Chongqing Tianhua Garden Co., Ltd.
Image Credits: Yoya, Chill Shine, LOLA Landscape Architects
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