West 8 Plans to Transform a Polluted Area of China into an Ecologically Sound Flower City

Dutch design firm <a href="http://www.west8.nl" target="_blank">West 8</a> has created a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/dom-aquitectura-designs-green-master-plan-for-huizhou-china-to-clean-air-and-reduce-pollution/dom-arquitectura-masterplan7/" target="_blank">sustainable masterplan to transform an urban center in China</a> into an ecologically sound city. Called Guangzhou Huadi Fangcun, or the Flower City, the plan fuses wetland areas with the fabric of the metropolis. The plan is the winning entry in a contest issued by the local government to redevelop the site into a progressive urban area that ensures a clean and environmentally sound place to live.

Like much of China, the Flower City will inhabit an area of China with <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nearly-6000-pig-carcasses-have-been-pulled-from-the-shanghai-river/" target="_blank">heavily polluted waterways</a>.

In order to ensure the longevity of the region, the local government called for urban plans that would transform the local ecology, and self-sustainably clean up the pollution problems. The eight square mile site includes 450 hectares of wetland, that requires cleaning and preservation.

In order to organize the region to be most efficient, West 8 divided it into <a href="http://inhabitat.com/foster-partners-carbon-neutral-masdar-city-rises-in-the-desert/" target="_blank">horticulture and urban zones</a>, that are located around residential areas and historical monuments.

New residential areas will be surrounded by green areas, to offer a balance between nature and urban living. A horticultural and herbal research center will further connect the locals to the growing greenery of the land.

West 8’s plan also transforms all of the regions roads and canals into <a href="http://inhabitat.com/masterplan-for-nanjing-china-could-be-largest-green-development-in-the-world/china-nanjing/" target="_blank">community-oriented centers</a>, planted lushly with flowers and other plants, evoking park land throughout the city.

Through the introduction of flowering plants, the city will be transformed into a welcoming and ecologically rich center. To commemorate this ideal, a large central park will be constructed that will welcome the Guangzhou International Flora Expo, giving the Flower City its namesake.