At the World Architecture Festival 2025, the prestigious Landscape of the Year award was presented to the project “Embracing Flood: Xinjiang River Ecological Corridor” by Turenscape in Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province, China. By revitalizing a 102-hectare floodplain, the project has created an ecological, recreational, and educational space for the public and set an innovative example in urban landscape design. The main goal of the project is to transform a damaged and underutilized site into a vibrant and dynamic corridor that addresses both the environmental and social needs of the community. This initiative demonstrates how landscape design can simultaneously contribute to sustainable urban development, ecosystem protection, and the enhancement of quality of life.
One of the project’s standout features is its multi-level pedestrian pathways, including a Skywalk and Boardwalk, which provide public access to the corridor throughout the year, even during floods. These pathways create a unique experience of interaction between people and the urban landscape, offering educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities for visitors. In addition to the walkways, seating areas, small bridges, and open spaces for communal activities have been designed to strengthen direct engagement with the restored ecosystem. This design provides a tangible experience of life alongside water and sustainable landscapes, serving as an exemplary model for other cities and similar projects worldwide.
One of the project’s key features is its multi-level pedestrian pathways, including a Skywalk and Boardwalk, which allow public access to the corridor throughout the year, even during floods. These pathways provide a unique experience of interaction between people and the urban landscape, offering educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities for visitors. In addition to the walkways, seating areas, small bridges, and open spaces for communal activities have been designed to strengthen direct engagement with the restored ecosystem. This design delivers a tangible experience of living alongside water and sustainable landscapes, serving as an exemplary model for other cities and similar projects worldwide.
The materials used in this project are primarily local, prefabricated, and cost-effective, ensuring the long-term durability and maintenance of the corridor. This choice of materials also helps reduce the environmental impact of construction and energy consumption, presenting a successful example of integrating sustainable, economical, and functional design in urban landscapes. As a result, the project not only creates a beautiful and functional space but also provides a scalable model for other cities facing natural hazards and climate change, offering global inspiration.
The project has also received significant international media coverage; in addition to being announced as the winner at WAF 2025, reputable architecture platforms such as ArchDaily, The Plan, V2COM, and Turenscape’s official website have reviewed and endorsed the project. These sources emphasize the importance of nature-based design, smart flood management, and the creation of an ecological corridor with public access, positioning the project as a global model for sustainable urban landscape design. With this achievement, “Embracing Flood” demonstrates how a landscape can simultaneously fulfill environmental, social, and cultural objectives, preparing the city for a sustainable and human-centered future.