In 2014 Qingdao is hosting the International Horticultural Exposition. The city chose a site at the northern fringe of Qingdao towards Laoshan Mountains. From the outset the exposition was planned to be the driver for the development of a wider urban district with ecological ambition.
Our proposal for the international competition stresses that ‘eco’ development must go beyond the mere application of low-carbon technologies. Our masterplan proposes 12 strategies for a liveable urban quarter that encourages alternative development model and a sustainable lifestyle.
The strategies range from how to create walkable neighbourhoods oriented on high-class public transport, how to bring nature into the city along the river parks and how to make the Mountain National Park accessible for urban leisure activities and careful tourism. By combining city and mountain qualities Qingdao Hills can become an attractive district that matches the most liveable neighbourhoods in the world.