A prominent riverfront city in Jiangsu Province, Nantong has long been shaped by its proximity to the Yangtze River, Hao River, Tonglv Canal, and Rengang River. The establishment of Nantong Port in 1904 and subsequent wharf construction drove decades of industrial growth, but as shipping operations shifted downstream to deeper waters, older docks in this area were gradually decommissioned. In 2019, the city launched an ambitious plan to transform nearly 20 kilometers of industrial docks into green public space, with the first five-kilometer phase centered on the Tonglv Canal, Rengang River, and Riverside Flower Meadow—an area totaling one million square meters.

The project reconnects communities with the waterfront while integrating new flood-control infrastructure. The design introduced program zones, activity spaces, and commercial activation strategies to revitalize the waterfront. A sequence of promenades, plazas, and waterfront terraces creates a layered public experience, reconnecting residents to the river’s edge.

Ecological protection was a central priority. In collaboration with hydraulic engineers, the team preserved sedimentary riverbanks at key confluences, supporting diverse migratory bird habitats. Low-impact boardwalks weave through reed beds, allowing visitors to experience the river ecology without disturbing it. In total, 28,000 square meters of wetlands were safeguarded.

SWA served as lead landscape designer, responsible for the overall design vision and schematic development. Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute acted as the project’s general design institute, overseeing multidisciplinary engineering, infrastructure systems, and detailed implementation. The first three phases have been open to the public since 2024.

By integrating public space, industry, and ecology, the project restores Nantong’s historic river culture while establishing a forward-looking model for resilient, multifunctional waterfront redevelopment along the Yangtze River.