Coax Road Pocket Park by VIASCAPE Design: Urban Regeneration and Green Oasis in Xuhui District, Shanghai

Architects: VIASCAPE Design

Located at the southeast corner of the bustling intersection of Caoxi Road and South Kaixuan Road, Coax Road Pocket Park is a prime example of urban regeneration and innovative landscape architecture. The 6,300 m² site was previously dominated by low-quality illegal structures and a car park, with narrow access points and limited spatial quality due to its proximity to Ren’ai Hospital and intersecting infrastructure including Metro Line 3, the Inner Ring Road, and the Huming Elevated Bridge. The shadows cast by these elements created a congested, grey urban environment with poor pedestrian experiences.

In 2022, the Xuhui District Government initiated a comprehensive site regeneration plan to demolish illegal structures and restore green space. VIASCAPE Design conducted extensive site surveys and proposed a pocket park to enhance pedestrian connectivity, create communal green areas, and improve the overall streetscape along Caoxi Road and South Kaixuan Road. The park serves as a resting point for commuters and fosters a strong sense of belonging for nearby residential communities, including Jinguyuan and Hongrunhuayuan.

Design Concept: Shaping with the Breeze

The design of Coax Road Pocket Park revolves around the concept of “Shaping with the Breeze”. This idea was conceived during multiple design studies and site visits from early 2022, culminating during the Covid-19 quarantine period. The “breeze” concept embodies fluidity, connectivity, and renewal, symbolically unblocking congested urban spaces and revitalizing the neighborhood.

The linear and flowing design language integrates pedestrian pathways with a cross-linked Ginkgo tree matrix, weaving together a 3-meter-wide pedestrian corridor that maximizes commuting efficiency while providing recreational opportunities. This design merges functionality with aesthetic appeal, offering a continuous green experience for city dwellers.

Green Design and Ecological Integration

Green space is the top priority in the Coax Road Pocket Park. The park features:

• Diverse tree species and wavy canopy profiles for visual richness
• Low-maintenance shrubs, shade-tolerant ground covers, and perennials to ensure ecological sustainability
• Semi-public community spaces linked to adjacent residential areas
• Interior garden connections with the Breeze Gallery, offering micro-scale community experiences

The combination of organized terrain, greenery, and public amenities transforms a previously grey, congested site into a vibrant urban oasis, promoting biodiversity and social interaction in the city center of Shanghai.

Breeze Gallery: Heart of the Pocket Park

At the core of the pocket park lies the Breeze Gallery, a multifunctional architectural element that shapes the user experience:

• A linear gallery structure provides shade and seating for pedestrians
• The west section accommodates administrative and MEP facilities
• The east section serves as a public reading and community-shared space
• The “breeze-shaped” design seamlessly integrates grey spaces with green landscapes
• The gallery divides and merges spatial layers, creating dynamic visual and functional experiences

Viewed from surrounding high-rises and metro infrastructure, the Breeze Gallery creates a visual and ecological connection with the broader urban fabric, enhancing both accessibility and recreational quality.

Pocket Park in a Megacity Context

While the park is relatively small in scale, its strategic placement, tree arrangements, and Breeze Gallery ensure a strong urban identity. The park serves as both a resting haven for commuters and a green community hub, proving that even modest urban spaces can significantly improve the quality of life in dense metropolitan areas.

All photographs are works of  CreatAR Images