Page 53 - JCAU-5-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Envisioning rural futures

Figure 16. Plan of Lishui Smart Valley. Source: Courtesy of SCUT and Politecnico di Torino; reprinted (adapted) with permission from SCUT and
Politecnico di Torino; Copyright © 2020 SCUT and Politecnico di Torino

also proposed for the Charm of the Four Capitals, where
new mixed-use settlements are planned to accommodate
research activities centered on agribusiness and high-tech
industries.
Two other types of dwellings are proposed for the Gates
of the Mountains and Rivers and Guyan Village Painting.
Since the former is close to Lishui city, the project envisages
a high-density settlement with buildings in symbiosis with
the river (Figure 13). A system of stilt houses is to be built
along the banks of the Haoxi Brook to accommodate the
new inhabitants, offering an unconventional way of living
Figure 17. Model of the logistics hub. Source: Courtesy of SCUT and with water. Conversely, the Guyan Village Painting site is
Politecnico di Torino; reprinted (adapted) with permission from SCUT
and Politecnico di Torino; Copyright © 2020 SCUT and Politecnico di home to traditional wood houses, which establish close
Torino relations with the surrounding forests. These houses are to
accommodate local and international artists, offering the
In Baiyan Story Telling, the project envisages the unique experience of Lishui picturesque scenery.
preservation of seven existing villages, so the high-rise Finally, two sites are entirely devoted to educational
compound under construction to relocate the villagers will and recreational activities: The Wind of the Koucang
instead be turned into a mixed-use neighborhood, with Mountain and the Relics of the Historic City. The first
housing, offices, retail market, and vertical farms. This is a 32-hectare site on the southern bank of the Ou
new form of composite development, rich in functions River, where the Zhongan Expo-Park Town is proposed.
and uses, is then to be expanded to the whole area. Here, With only 27% of the area for construction, this space is
small mixed-use towns are to be built on the summits designed to accommodate eight major pavilions to host the
of each of the three hills facing the river. Siyao Wellness most important exhibitions and cultural activities in the
Town is dedicated to sport facilities, health centers, and metropolitan area. It is surrounded by minor buildings for
nursing homes; Qian Wu Recreative Town is home to sport activities and hospitality. This group of buildings has
tourism services, hotels, agritourism, and a panoramic a park at the center, while the riverbank is turned into a wet
monumental tower; finally, Xiao Bayan Mother Town area to protect the site from flooding. The Zhongan Expo-
will be the core of the area, where the main markets, Park Town is also connected to the Guyan Village Painting,
education facilities, and amenities for the inhabitants which is to become the Gucheng Shan-Shui Recreational
are located. The three towns are planned for 5500, 4000, Island. This is home to a restored traditional village with
and 9500 inhabitants, respectively; however, since these small agricultural fields for educational activities.
centers are mostly for tourism and recreational uses, the
population is expected to double during the peak season 4.3. Prosperous Lishui by SCUT and Politecnico di
and national holidays. Within this strategy, <25 hectares Torino
are for construction, while the remainder is reserved for Unlike the other proposals, Prosperous Lishui by SCUT
forests and agricultural fields. A similar development is (China) and Politecnico di Torino (Italy) focus on

Volume 5 Issue 3 (2023) 10 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.0957