A remarkable achievement has been announced in urban landscape design, as the Shunde Wenming Bridge Park Regeneration Project in Foshan, China, has triumphantly emerged as the recipient of the esteemed 2024 Asian Townscape Awards.
The announcement, made by the 2024 Asian Townscape Awards Announcements of Examination Outcome, highlights the project's standout performance among nearly 500 submissions from across Asia.
The Asian Townscape Awards, jointly initiated by organizations such as the United Nations Human Settlements Programme Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, the Asian Habitat Society, and the Asian Institute of Landscape Architecture, serve as a prestigious international platform celebrating the finest examples of landscape practices on the continent. Renowned as the "Oscar" of urban development, the awards recognize innovations that redefine the urban landscape and enrich cultural heritage.
Located within the jurisdiction of Xingtan Town, Shunde District, Foshan City, the Wenming Bridge boasts a rich history spanning over 600 years. However, years of neglect had left the bridge in a state of disrepair, with its decaying facade and blocked waterways posing a significant risk of irreversible damage. Recognizing the urgency, the revitalization project for Wenming Bridge commenced in 2022, aiming to salvage and rejuvenate this historical treasure.
Guided by the design philosophy of "Bridging Hearts, Fusing Scenery," the project team embarked on a meticulous journey of researching ancient texts and conducting extensive field studies. They restored the waterways, expanded the park, and worked tirelessly to recreate the bridge's historical grandeur. Within the confined 3,600 square meters, six distinctive cultural attractions, including the Xinyue Lake, Chuanlu Yin (Scholar's Grove), and Fangcaojing (Fragrant Grass Realm), were crafted, seamlessly blending traditional Lingnan garden aesthetics with modern ecological culture.
The Wenming Bridge Park opened its doors to the public on June 7, 2024, swiftly transforming into a cultural beacon and a new landmark for the community. Xingtan, known as the "Hometown of Folk and Folk Art" in Guangdong Province, boasts three national intangible cultural heritage items: Dragon Dance, Dragon Boat Singing, and Eight-Sound Gong and Drum Music. Moreover, out of the nine imperial scholars produced in Guangdong's history, two hailed from Xingtan, further emphasizing the town's rich cultural heritage.
Today, the Wenming Bridge Park stands as not just a physical landmark but also a cultural symbol, embodying the continuity and vitality of Xingtan's profound cultural traditions.
Author | Alice
Photo | Nanfang Plus
Editor | Will, James
