Urban Design

Caidian satellite city planning / 2015

The Park City movement is an urban planning method that was initiated in 1898 by Sir Ebenezer Howard in the United Kingdom. It was composed of a core area, axis and several circle areas. Greenland, offices, commercial district and residents are arranged embracing the core area while factories are located outside the urban areas. This utopian pattern is practically followed by many urban design works.

However, big cities are confronting with serious problems brought by this theory including overpopulated, less efficiency and unsustainability. Caidian, as the satellite city of Wuhan, is spontaneously developed currently and less regulated because of the population growth and urbanism. Since the classical Park City theory is not applicable to current developments, a practical evolution in which single core is transformed into multiple ones could be reasonably used to design the Caidian satellite city. By disassembling and recombination, functional areas are well organized with better circulation system, more public spaces and more appealing cultural facilities. In this way, the reassembled Park City could be sustainable and livable.

In design process, the concept of Loop and Axis is emphasized to reflect basic strategy of Park City Theory. Park, commercial streets and residents are arranged accordingly. Multiple park system is created including central park and ceiling garden. Hybrid residential pattern could meet demands of most local people. Also, SOHO and motel could attract more people around to come for holidays, for a commodious living space and comfortable environment is created.