Plan to revamp Chinese city
06 October 2009
US architect, Heller Manus, has been selected to lead the design and construction of the growing metropolitan area of Guangzhou, in China.
With a population of 10 million, Guangzhou is China's third largest city and covers more than 3720 km².
Spanning 14.78 km², the design of the South Axis master plan from Heller Manus incorporates waterfront and transit oriented development with a ferry terminal, central government districts, and a variety of urban land uses.
In a statement Heller Manus said its concept was chosen for its balance of growth with sustainability and preservation, while promoting amenities for a better quality of life.
Heller Manus also recently completed the design of the multi-functional, metropolitan master plan along Guangzhou's Northern Axis.
The entire downtown city centre axis plan stretches southward over 11 km from the main railway station at the north to the Pearl River at the south. Heller Manus will oversee these two areas, which will form a new urban core, covering more than 20 km².
The design team, lead by Jeffrey Heller, includes the SWA Group and AECOM for the Southern Axis and Callison and Simon & Associates for the Northern Axis project. The Chinese associate team is from Shanghai Concept Engineering Consulting.
Heller Manus said one of the main principles of the overall urban design is the fundamental need to get people out of their cars, onto public transport and encouraging pedestrian movement.
"With the addition of improved transportation facilities, including the introduction of a light rail system and a pedestrian-friendly park and street network, Heller Manus hopes to promote alternative means of getting around over that of vehicular use," a spokesman for the company said.
A major catalyst for these recent planning efforts is the upcoming Asian Games in November 2010 which will be hosted at the Tian He Sports Centre located within the Guangzhou master plan area.
