Recently, at an international grand event in the field of landscape architecture, Liwan District added another shining “international calling card”. Relying on its outstanding ecological design and humanistic care, the Demonstration Section Project of Huadi River Waterfront Environment Renovation in Liwan District stood out from numerous international projects and won the 2025 IFLA (International Federation of Landscape Architects) Asia – Pacific Landscape Architecture Award of Excellence! Following the project’s second – class award in Planning and Design at the Science and Technology Progress Award of Guangdong Landscape Architecture Society, this international recognition marks that Liwan District’s water governance concept and practical achievements have been affirmed by the authoritative international design community in the Asia – Pacific region.
I. The Millennium – Old Huadi River Returns with a New Look
When it comes to Huadi River, it is no stranger to the locals of Guangzhou. Originating in the Sui Dynasty and flourishing in the Song Dynasty, it has flowed for 2,000 years, nurturing the reputation of “Lingnan’s No.1 Flower Town” and serving as the birthplace of China’s flower industry. As the largest river course in Liwan District, it is affectionately known as the “Mother River” by residents on both banks. However, with urban development, motor vehicle lanes once encroached on the waterfront green spaces, creating a distance between the Mother River and the citizens. In 2024, taking the opportunity of the widening and rerouting of the 1.38 – kilometer municipal road along the river, the Liwan District Water Authority, with the support of the District Party Committee and the District Government, guided by the “Hundred, Thousand and Ten Thousand Projects”, adhered to the people – centered development philosophy, launched the Demonstration Section Project of Huadi River Waterfront Environment Renovation, restored the fragmented space, and rebuilt a continuous, open and public waterfront living room for all people.
1. Full – Line Connection: Transforming from an “Inefficient Space” to a “Equitable Green Area”
In the past, was it easy to take a complete walk along the river? Definitely not! Broken sections, under – bridge areas and mixed pedestrian – vehicle traffic were obstacles everywhere. After the implementation of the project, by reorganizing the slow – moving traffic system, the connection of broken sections, under – bridge areas and three types of paths (sidewalks, jogging tracks and non – motor vehicle lanes) was realized. The waterfront dyke space was ingeniously optimized to strengthen the connection between the areas along the river, just like stringing together the better lives of surrounding residents with a green thread. The once mixed pedestrian – vehicle dyke top road has now become an integrated waterfront trail; 12 newly added barrier – free ramps enable wheelchairs and baby carriages to easily access the water, truly achieving the equity and safety of “unimpeded travel”.
2. Age – Friendly Design: Evolving from a “Municipal Space” to a “Linear Park”
The dyke top road is no longer a barrier to public leisure and entertainment, but has become a link connecting parent – child interactions. The project integrated scattered green spaces, transforming the originally monotonous municipal space into a multi – functional linear park. The original idle open space was upgraded into a 2,000 – square – meter age – inclusive children – friendly park, filled with laughter and joy. The inefficient green spaces were developed into science popularization flower borders, where flowers can be enjoyed in all four seasons. Under the shade of trees, 8 fitness squares were built, becoming a social hub for the elderly. From babbling infants to senior citizens enjoying their twilight years, everyone can find their own pleasure here.
3. Cultural Revival: Changing from a “Passive Parking Lot” to a “Science Popularization Venue”
Huadi River is named after flowers. During the construction process, the illegal parking lots occupying green spaces were cleared, and an ecological science popularization and education site of the National Botanical Garden was built, bringing flower culture back to the spotlight. Here, you can learn about the legendary story of the “Four Ancient Chinese Rose Varieties in Fangcun” traveling across the oceans and evolving into European roses; you can also rediscover the former city flower of Guangzhou—the jasmine, and feel the fragrant history of “Jasmine and Sampaguita, Fragrance of the Celestial Kingdom”. Meanwhile, during the construction, the historical Guanggang Railway Bridge was preserved and revitalized. By creating a unique railway garden, the industrial heritage has become a new check – in spot, awakening the city’s memories.
4. Public Participation: Shifting from an “Urban Fringe” to a “Vibrant Waterfront”
There are dense villages, communities and schools around the project area. During the construction, a deserted post station was renovated into the “Lingnan Flower Fragrance Science Popularization Museum”, a South China plant science popularization base. It houses 162 specimens of Lingnan plants, serving as a second classroom for children to learn about nature.
When talking about the project’s design concept, Chen Zhibin, Vice President of the Human Settlement Environment and Landscape Institute of Guangzhou Urban Planning & Design Survey Research Institute, said: “This project is a typical practice of the concept of ‘returning the river banks to the people and returning green spaces to the people’. Through measures such as the publicization of water conservancy dykes, the connection of multiple paths, ecological restoration and community building, Huadi River has become a vibrant link connecting nature, carrying culture and serving citizens, allowing people to enjoy high – quality waterfront life right at their doorsteps.”
II. Governing Water to Boost Urban Development, Building a Beautiful Waterfront Liwan
The stunning transformation of Huadi River is just a vivid epitome of Liwan District’s grand blueprint of “governing water to boost urban development” in recent years. Behind it lies the consistent adherence of the Liwan District Party Committee and the District Government to the people – centered development philosophy, as well as their firm determination to improve the living environment and enhance people’s well – being. Under the guidance of the District Party Committee and the District Government, the District Water Authority has made overall plans and collaborated with professional teams such as the Guangzhou Urban Planning & Design Survey Research Institute to create a series of benchmark projects, including the Sima River – Lizhiwan River Provincial – level Green and Beautiful Demonstration Waterfront Belt and the Lizhiwan River Waterfront Environment Renovation Project. From the stunning debut of Lizhiwan’s “canal uncovering and river restoration” to the current ecological transformation of Huadi River and the West Waterway, Liwan District’s water governance approach has evolved from a single water environment treatment to a systematic project integrating “water governance, urban development and people’s well – being”. Looking forward to the future, Liwan District will continue to promote water environment treatment work with high standards and high quality, cooperate with professional technical forces, continuously polish its ecological brand of “beautiful waters and fragrant flowers”, strive to write a new chapter in the high – quality development of “Beautiful Waterfront Liwan” in the new era, and let the core area of this millennium – old commercial capital radiate new vitality and charm!
