Waterline Park by Lab D+H: Transforming an Urban Gutter into a Vibrant Community Oasis in Chengdu

Located in the heart of Chengdu, China, Waterline Park is a visionary urban renewal project by Lab D+H, led by architects Zhongwei Li and Nan Lin. Spanning over 48,400 square meters, this ambitious landscape architecture project was completed in 2022, redefining a long-neglected, narrow gutter space surrounded by dense residential buildings into an engaging, multifunctional public park that reconnects the community with nature and each other.

Revitalizing a Forgotten Space

Before the transformation, the site was essentially a 1.5-kilometer-long narrow strip of land, just 40 meters wide at its slimmest point, hemmed in by steep slopes and surrounded by residential blocks. This challenging terrain, combined with its previous state as an overlooked drainage channel, made the site appear uninviting and unusable. Despite this, the area contained valuable water resources from nearby Lu Lake and some green patches, presenting a hidden opportunity to reconnect residents with their environment.

Lab D+H embraced this challenge by prioritizing water as the core design element, turning the site’s biggest hurdle into its greatest asset.

Design Philosophy: Water as the Lifeline

Waterline Park’s design centers on a dynamic, interconnected water system that links four previously fragmented parcels of land, forming a cohesive linear park running through the neighborhood. Inspired by natural landscapes—rivers, valleys, waterfalls, canals, shorelines, and islands—the park’s water features create varied terrains that skillfully handle the site’s elevation changes while providing diverse recreational and ecological functions.

The water system is not only aesthetic but interactive. It offers residents multiple engaging water elements such as shallow pools, gentle streams, and flowing channels where visitors can relax, play, and experience the environment up close. This integration of water invites people to linger and form connections with both nature and their neighbors.

Multifunctional Spaces for Community Connection

The park extends well beyond a typical green space. Along the water system, strategically designed stopping points offer seating, resting areas, and places for social activities. The park’s topography shifts organically, providing varied spatial experiences and continuous visual interest throughout its length. These features foster a sense of belonging and encourage social interaction among residents, strengthening community bonds.

The design supports a diverse range of activities, from casual strolls and quiet contemplation to community events and ecological education. As a public space, Waterline Park elevates the quality of urban living, making it a vibrant neighborhood hub.

Ecological Innovation and Resilience

Environmental sustainability is deeply embedded in Waterline Park’s design. Acting as a green urban canyon, the park utilizes the abundant water from Lu Lake to regulate water levels seasonally, adapting to different climatic conditions. The water channels vary in depth and flow speed, creating microhabitats that support biodiversity and enhance ecological balance.

Moreover, the park doubles as a functional rain garden during flood seasons, helping to manage stormwater runoff and prevent urban flooding by facilitating natural water filtration and absorption. This resilience makes Waterline Park an essential ecological asset for Chengdu’s urban landscape.

Impact and Future Expansion

Since its completion, Waterline Park has transformed the local urban environment, offering residents a serene escape from city life while revitalizing the surrounding neighborhood. The park has spurred increased community engagement and has even influenced local housing demand, with more people eager to live near this urban oasis.

Encouraged by this success, plans are underway to develop Sections 3 and 4 of the park over the next three years, promising to expand the benefits of this innovative public space further.

All the photographs are works of Bing Lu, Holi