In the spring of 2019, China will host the World Horticultural Exposition in Beijing. Today, at the foot of the Great Wall in Yanqing, in front of Haituofeng, and along the Guihe River, a 500-hectare 'Garden of Ten Thousand Flowers' is slowly unfolding.
The World Horticultural Exposition is an international horticultural exhibition approved by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) and recognized by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE). To date, more than 20 such exhibitions have been held mainly in developed countries in Europe, America, and Japan. This World Horticultural Exposition is hosted by the Chinese government and organized by Beijing Municipality, with the theme 'Green Life, Beautiful Homeland.' It will be a higher-level and larger-scale specialized exposition for China, following the 1999 Kunming Horticultural Exposition and the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.
Implementing a 'Low Impact Development' Approach
Traditionally, large projects involved extensive construction, demolition, and relocation, often with significant interference with the natural environment. However, this time, the planning and design of the World Horticultural Exposition in Beijing are based on the 'Low Impact Development' concept proposed abroad many years ago.
On August 9th, Ye Dahua, Deputy Director of the Beijing Expo Bureau, introduced to the Science and Technology Daily at the construction site in the core area, "Planners adhere to the concept of ecological priority and learning from nature. They aim to minimize earth-moving and development, reducing the disturbance and destruction of the natural environment. By retaining the existing mountains, waters, forests, fields, and villages, comprehensive planning for the ecological chain framework of the park is carried out. It is combined with land development and rainwater control technologies that have ecological protection functions, attempting to maintain or restore the original hydrological characteristics of the development area."
To preserve several ancient trees in the village without conflicting with the planned landscape, designers had to work hard on the elevation and spatial aspects of the buildings. As a result, the park preserved more than 50,000 large trees. They also preserved the original farmland, fish ponds, and even houses.
Ye Dahua said, "In terms of construction, we use the traditional Chinese technique of stacking mountains and arranging water to expand existing fish ponds and create a lake landscape. The earthworks generated are piled up nearby to create terraced flower fields with 'abundant grains and blooming mountains,' inheriting and reproducing the ecological wisdom of agricultural civilization."
Utilizing Yanqing's natural pattern of mountains and rivers to its fullest extent, in combination with the existing landscape, the Beijing Expo Park presents a structural layout of 'one core, two axes, three belts, and multiple areas.'
A Comfortable and Enjoyable Experience in the Shade
'Visit the expo for a day, stay for a night in the flower fields, and savor a flower feast.' This romantic experience is specially offered to visitors from around the world, reflecting the concept of 'integrating horticulture into nature and moving the soul through nature.'
The Beijing World Horticultural Exposition will be held from April 29 to October 7, 2019, for a total of 162 days, with an expected attendance of over 16 million visitors. It is estimated that more than 100 countries and international organizations and 100 domestic provinces, regions, cities, and enterprises will participate.
"Before planning the park, I took planners to large international expos at home and abroad, with a focus on experiencing them as tourists. Then, in the planning of the Beijing World Horticultural Exposition, I aimed to create an experience where visitors can comfortably enjoy the expo under the shade of trees, savoring a sense of comfort and delight while appreciating the new achievements in horticultural development from around the world," Ye Dahua told the reporters.
The main pavilions were designed by China's top architects. The Chinese Pavilion was designed by renowned architect Cui Kai, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Its appearance resembles an ancient Ruyi symbol. The International Pavilion is designed as a colorful sea of flowers with various types of colorful parasols. Vanke has built a kaleidoscope-like Plant Pavilion, while the Performance Square looks like a butterfly spreading its wings.
In the horticultural life experience area, the canopy of golden elms forms a lush shade. The golden leaves create a bright forest canopy, and the blooming summer flowers of various varieties compete for attention. In the leisure eco-oxygen bar area along the Guihe River, visitors can enjoy the sea of cherry blossoms on Haitang Avenue and appreciate the infinite beauty of blue skies and clear waters. In terms of landscape design, it achieves a harmonious and compact layout.
Creating a Capital Ecological Civilization Demonstration Area
Since the comprehensive construction of the park began in September of last year, various projects have been progressing steadily. As of now, 30% of the park's infrastructure has been completed. The entire park is expected to be completed by the end of 2018, ready for exhibit arrangement.
Ye Dahua explained that the core landscape of Tiantian Mountain has been backfilled, the anti-seepage and slope protection of Guiru Lake have been completed, and 60% of the terrain micro-arrangement in the park has been completed. Construction of various engineering pipelines, including sewage, water supply, telecommunications, electricity, and heating, is progressing steadily. The park gallery project has also reached 60% completion. In addition, the foundation treatment of major venues has been completed. Next, a landmark building, Yongning Pavilion, will be constructed on top of Tiantian Mountain. In the future, visitors can ascend to the top of the pavilion to view the Great Wall to the south, Haituo Mountain to the north, Guiru River, and the entire park.
The goal of the Beijing World Horticultural Exposition is to establish a 'new realm of world horticulture and a new model of ecological civilization.' This is why the event is held in Yanqing, known as the backyard of Beijing and an area dedicated to ecological conservation.
To better host the event, afforestation has become an important task for Yanqing District. A lush afforestation area covering 38,000 acres has been established in the Caijia River Basin, providing a breathtaking view.
On July 19th, Cai Qi, Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee, emphasized during an inspection tour of Yanqing District that the primary task of the ecological conservation zone is to preserve ecology. This is an invaluable asset that supports future development. Yanqing holds an important position in ecological civilization construction in the city. It has made irreplaceable contributions to safeguarding the purity of the capital, the clarity of its waters, and the beauty of its blue skies. Yanqing will adhere to its role as an ecological conservation zone, prioritize ecological civilization construction, place greater emphasis on ecological development, and seize the historical opportunity presented by the World Horticultural Exposition to promote green development and prosperity, making Yanqing a demonstration area for ecological civilization in the capital."
Source: Science and Technology Daily
Original Article: http://t.cn/RC2KC01
