Chapman Taylor wins masterplan design competition for 80km Sanya Jiyang Area in Hainan Province, China

Chapman Taylor Shanghai has created a competition-winning urban masterplan design for Sanya Jiyang Area in Hainan province, China. Known as the "Hawaii of the East", Sanya enjoys 209km of coastline and is surrounded by mountains on three sides.

The extension of the mountain ranges naturally divides the urban area into different spaces, providing each with a unique spatial landscape environment. With the continuous development of Sanya, it is becoming increasingly important to explore a future development that "integrates with the mountains".

Chapman Taylor’s urban design concept contained six steps:

Respect the topography. We conducted in-depth research regarding the topography of the Jiyang area in Sanya and analysis of its mountains, forests, lakes, seas and fields in order to be able to fully exploit the natural resources.

Streamline the water. A rainfall catchment assessment and water system study helped to determine the most appropriate water network layout, in order to establish a flood adaptive city.

Farmland chain. Connect the scattered farmland with pastoral functions through slow walking trails highlighting regional characteristics.

Form the island. The water system, green belt and farmland belt naturally shape the city into an island like organic environment where fields and cities blend.

Make the village prosper. Revitalise the current rural areas, integrating and conserving rural aesthetics and the beauty of the fields.

Make the city vibrant. With the help of industrial positioning, integrate the urban vision into the development expectations of each urban cluster and create suitable open public space according to functions and forms.

The resulting masterplan proposes flood-adapted urban areas and aims to build a landscape system of "one belt, one ring and three chains”, integrating "mountains, rivers, fields, forests and sea", and achieving ecological sustainability.

The East gateway of Sanya is a hub of vibrant mobility. Effective transportation is key to the success of the masterplan. Based on our analysis and optimisation of the present city traffic situation, a dense but efficient urban road network system is proposed. In addition, the convenient and accessible public transportation system includes the urban Express Railway.

Three districts are also of note. The Nanding Art District will contain an ecological central green corridor and include an art sharing circle. The Damao Zhongliao Wellness District incorporates three themed valleys with nine parks organised in landscape corridors leading to the mountains. The Jiyan comprehensive town district focuses on building urban areas near the bay. With the help of the core geographical location and superior landscape conditions, an international business and trade service area is created in the central part with high-end tourist goods and duty-free businesses and trade markets.

Chapman Taylor partnered with South China University of Technology on the design competition.