When architecture firm Turenscape was approached to help revive a failing wetland at the center of Qunli, a new urban district in northern China, the firm’s response was to use the project to solve another of the city’s problems—namely, its inability to cope with the stormwater that frequently caused flooding and waterlogging in the summer months. The urban development surrounding the area had cut off the wetland from its water sources, causing the ecosystems to disappear. Turenscape devised a solution to both problems by surrounding the wetland area with an outer ring of mounds and ponds, which act as a filtration and cleansing zone for stormwater collected from the urban area. The water can then be stored and released into the wetland as necessary. Taking the Qunli Stormwater Park one step further, the architects introduced new ways to bring local residents closer to nature, including building a network of paths that wind around the ring of ponds and a skywalk that provides stunning views across the open landscape. Photo 2 of 8 in 7 Groundbreaking Designs From Around the World That Can Help Us Build the Perfect City

7 Groundbreaking Designs From Around the World That Can Help Us Build the Perfect City

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When architecture firm Turenscape was approached to help revive a failing wetland at the center of Qunli, a new urban district in northern China, the firm’s response was to use the project to solve another of the city’s problems—namely, its inability to cope with the stormwater that frequently caused flooding and waterlogging in the summer months. The urban development surrounding the area had cut off the wetland from its water sources, causing the ecosystems to disappear. Turenscape devised a solution to both problems by surrounding the wetland area with an outer ring of mounds and ponds, which act as a filtration and cleansing zone for stormwater collected from the urban area. The water can then be stored and released into the wetland as necessary. Taking the Qunli Stormwater Park one step further, the architects introduced new ways to bring local residents closer to nature, including building a network of paths that wind around the ring of ponds and a skywalk that provides stunning views across the open landscape.