British architects complete central masterplan for one of China's largest cities

Leading British architectural practice PRP has completed the central masterplan of one of China’s largest Cities, Chongqing.

Chongqing covers an area larger than Hong Kong and is the key industrial city in Western China.

The 'Two Rivers/Four Shore' masterplan covers the Yuzhong peninsula, which is an area over 12 km2, including the central business district.

With a population of 9.5 million, it is one of the most densely populated areas in the world and is bordered on both sides by two rivers, the Jialing and the Yangtze, which meet at its point.

PRP's urban design framework for the Yuzhong district aimed to upgrade the urban function and image of the city.

The concept was to reduce construction volume and increase the quality of green space within the City and create additional open areas. In addition PRP aimed to fully exploit Chongqing's historical and cultural assets, to reinforce the ecological quality of urban space and promote the organic regeneration of this key City.

PRP undertook a comprehensive assessment of the business viability of the key areas and the resulting masterplan has  achieved the following:

• Improving the image of the City
• Opening up the river frontage, which is currently used as a road
• Creating a central connection of green space through the City with links to the riverside, which will increase the quality of light and air within the Central Business District
• Creating a visual link through the City - with 'green lungs' to the riverside 
• Facilitate the movement of industry away from the City centre to surrounding areas
• Creating two further bridges to link the Central Business District with the mainland
• Improving the environmental performance of existing buildings
• Reducing the residential population within the centre.

PRP Director John Chapman said: “Chongqing was a complex project as the City had grown organically and there was no central framework. The resulting masterplan has introduced a more European style masterplan by opening up the river frontage to improve the urban quality.

"We have successfully created 'green corridors' throughout the City, which create a visual link through the district and vastly improve the central space."

PRP has undertaken several projects in China including the redevelopment of the Pencil Factory in Chongqing, into a residential high rise development now known as Oxford Street.