Kangbashi Trail: A Harmonious Blend of Nature, Fitness, and Urban Design in Ordos, China

Nestled north of Kangbashi No. 9 Primary School, adjacent to Ordos Applied Technology College and a natural red sandstone slope, the Kangbashi Trail is a landmark urban landscape project designed by DAIKOSHA Architectural Design. Set within a dense residential and educational context, the site previously lacked recreational and leisure spaces for the community. The design team reimagined this urban landscape, integrating nature, sustainability, and national fitness as the core principles, while creating a participatory, dynamic, and visually compelling urban trail.

Project Context

The 30,000 m² site features irregular terrain with significant elevation changes, little flat land, and complex soil conditions, primarily composed of red sandstone and red clay. The area benefits from proximity to urban trunk roads, offering excellent accessibility for residents, students, and visitors. With schools, residential blocks, and natural slopes surrounding the site, the project sought to fill a gap in public leisure facilities while enhancing the local urban environment.

Design Concept

Inspired by magma flows and the fiery hues of red sandstone, the design captures the dynamic energy of natural geological formations. Using parameterized design methods, the architects organized the red sandstone surfaces to reflect the natural characteristics of the terrain.

Key design goals include:

• Creating open, engaging landscapes for gatherings, social interaction, and recreational activities.
• Enhancing urban aesthetics through controlled earthwork, visual layering, and harmonious integration with the surrounding city.
• Fostering health, wellness, and national fitness through interactive and physically engaging pathways.

The design emphasizes a human-scale experience, with pathways, slopes, and pavilions that encourage exploration and movement, blending natural landscape with urban functionality.

Technical Measures

Slope Protection and Landscape Reinforcement:

1. Surface Cleaning: Exposing natural red sandstone by removing the overlying red clay layer.
2. Trench Excavation: Using small excavators and manual labor to form pedestrian pathways and small channels.
3. Red Sandstone Reinforcement: Applying magnesium fluorosilicate solution and WD-W02 organic silicon penetration agent to strengthen sandstone without altering its natural appearance.
4. Urban Integration: Color-mixed concrete hardening at intersections with municipal roads to blend urban infrastructure with natural terrain.
5. Illumination: Low-voltage waterproof LED lighting enhances safety and ambiance along paths and small squares.

Experience and Interaction

Kangbashi Trail is designed as a participatory public space, offering an immersive landscape experience. The site features:

• Pavilions and resting areas at key points along slopes for relaxation and social interaction.
• Multi-directional, layered pathways that create a playful “jumping garden” effect, encouraging exploration and discovery.
• Natural height variations that provide security, intrigue, and sensory engagement.

Visitors of all ages—children, students, adults, and the elderly—interact with the landscape, moving through elevated paths, shaded corridors, and open squares. The design encourages physical activity, playful engagement, and social interaction, aligning with the broader goal of promoting community fitness and wellness.

Postscript: Urban Impact

The Kangbashi Trail project exemplifies how thoughtful landscape architecture can enhance urban life, blending natural elements with modern urban infrastructure. By integrating environmental awareness, experiential design, and participatory spaces, DAIKOSHA Architectural Design has created a landmark trail that improves city aesthetics, encourages social interaction, and promotes national fitness. This project highlights the potential of street-side parks and urban trails as catalysts for healthier, more connected communities.

All photographs are works of Hohhot Daliangzao Architectural Design Consulting Co., Ltd