The Haicang New Urban District is one of four major districts, which will be developed as part of the Taiwan Investment Zone. The Haicang New Urban District will be approximately 32 sq km. in area, and will include commercial, financial and tourism areas and entertainment zones. The site for the Haicang New Town is unique in that it will be partially created from areas that are currently used for marine aquaculture fields. This provides the opportunity to create a city that is flexible in the delineation of its infrastructure systems and in the shaping of its landforms, shorelines and waterways. Because of its location near Xiamen Island, Haicang New Town will benefit from many of the cities existing public amenities. As the new town develops, it will create its own complimentary public use areas and will contribute to the enhancement of the greater Xiamen metropolitan area.

The Haicang New Town Master Plan provides a unique opportunity to combine modern urban design principles, local demographics, economic growth and development trends with the rich culture, history and values of a major metropolitan region. The landscape architect worked as a land use planner and designer to guide the development of a plan for a new satellite town for Xiamen.

Districts were created for development.

Central Business District

The Central Business District has standard sized urban blocks with retail and commercial uses at the street level to create a vital and interactive urban street environment. Trees along each block provide shaded areas for pedestrians and green connections throughout the CBD. There will be central plazas and courtyards associated with the various buildings to provide areas for public gatherings and mid block circulation. A central urban parkway provides an axial connection between this district, City Hall and Xiamen Island. There is a second axial view to the Nei Water Column to the south and to the Lake Village District to the north. The CBD has waterfront entertainment and leisure areas around its perimeter.

 

Marina and Convention Center District

Restaurants, specialty retail, marina based activities and the Haicang Convention Center are located within this sea front development area. This is one of the most dramatic districts in the 'New Town' with the activity of the marina, the Convention Center and views of both the Haicang Central Business District and the Xiamen skyline. A deep-water channel will be dredged to allow marine vessel access and to provide a view of continuous open water from Haicang to the sea during low tide. The Convention Center will become an important symbol for this new city and its location on the waterfront will be become a 'landmark' associated with Haicang New Town. 'White Dolphin Park' located adjacent to the Convention Center will allow for special outdoor exhibitions and will serve as a community gathering and celebration area during special holidays. The 'Gateway to the Sea' portals announce the connection of this area through the central parkway to City Hall in one direction and Xiamen Island in the other.

The 'Village on the Lake' District

Consists of garden office, studio space, low-rise residential and commercial development. This is a mix-use area of small scale buildings and should have the quality of a design district with artisans and crafts shop, architects and design professional offices, hip restaurants and cafes, music clubs and night time entertainment.

The Municipal and Educational District

This district is the location of City Hall and two local schools. The City Hall Complex is located on Nei Lake and has a long axial view to Xiamen Island and direct views to the Central Business District, the Cultural District, the Market District and the Haicang Bridge. All municipal functions would be located here to facilitate interaction and communication amongst the city staff and the citizens of Haicang. City Hall is the focal point of the Haicang New Town and is seen from most vantage points of the city. City Hall will be an important architectural symbol and will be both an element of community pride and of regional identity. The location of City Hall allows views of both branches of Nei Lake and is seen from all roads entering Haicang New Town.

Sports and Recreation District

This district includes a sports stadium, swim center and outdoor playing fields. The complex is sized to support local sport related activities and it will share some of its facilities with the adjacent schools.

The Cultural District

This district includes the Symphony Hall and Museum of Regional Arts. It is located adjacent to the Central Business District and between the 'Village on the Lake' and Poet's Island and across from City Hall. The Symphony Hall building will be viewed from throughout the area.

Market District

The Market District is the city's major shopping center and will include open air and interior shopping space. It will also include furniture, clothing and home goods stores as well as restaurants and cinema facilities. The Market District features a lake front promenade with outdoor cafes and street vendors. This facility is conveniently located on a major connector road and near the Central Business District and 'The Corniche' residential area.

The Corniche

This lake front community development will provide a linkage between Future Coast (a residential and retail development to the south) and the Haicang New Town urban core. It creates another major lake front activity zone and is located on Nei Lake South. This area includes both mid-rise and low-rise residential development and a small 'Town Center' with street level retail along the waterfront pedestrian promenade. 'Theater on the Green Park' is the central green space of this community and will serve as both a park space and a public amphitheater. The Nei Water Column is centrally located in the lake area adjacent to the park and will be a focal point for both this district and the Haicang New Town metropolitan area.

Uptown Residential District

This district includes two residential areas and Mountain View Park. The first district is located along Haicang Boulevard, adjacent to the Central Business District, and will be one of the premier residential areas. This development has both mid-rise and low-rise residential areas all organized around a central water garden. A commercial center will be located at street level at major intersections and will serve as a local community gathering area. The central water garden is aligned with the Nei Water Column to the south and will have a visual connection to this amenity through the Central Business District. The second residential area has medium density housing and is bordered by Haicang Boulevard and Mountain View Park. Mountain View Park is located at the north end of the district and serves as a major neighborhood leisure and recreational facility and as a visual and noise buffer between the highway and the residential community.

Poets Island

Poets Island is a garden based linkage to the two sections of the Cultural District. It is a meditation garden and provides a place for both the work force in the Central Business District and the surrounding community to relax and re-energize. The garden will have a teahouse, a small shrine and a 'Wedding Pavilion'.

Haicang Coastal Park

This linear waterfront park and re-forestation area will provide an informal gathering space for the citizens of Haicang and areas to reintroduce wildlife habitat and plant communities. This open space will allow continuous open views from Haicang Boulevard to the sea and the Xiamen skyline beyond. The Haicang Coastal Park will connect into the Cultural District and will serve as a 'green path to connect this natural area and the urban core.

Science and Natural History Museum

The facility includes the Planetarium, the Maritime Museum, the Museum of Information and Technology and the Children's Museum of Discovery and Knowledge. This facility will serve both the local citizens and will provide a resource for visitors to the area.

Community Resource Center

The Resource Center is the location of the city's Main Public Library. The library is located within the Water Garden, which is a community park that features ornamental water displays, and aquatic plants from around the world.

 

Haicang Technology District

Office zone associated with the manufacturing center. Serves as a front door between the urban core and the manufacturing zone.

Song-yu Water Front District

This district is located in a strategic location and is an important landmark site for the Haicang New Town, located at the southern end of the city. This site has a deep-water area that is accessible by boat at low tide, has views to Xiamen Island and the sea and to Gu-Iang-yu Island. Song-yu will be the water based portage area between Xiamen and Haicang and will receive water taxis and other transportation systems. This will be the transfer station for boat traffic and bus transportation. The Haicang Ocean Gateway Facility will be the main arrival and departure point. This building will include a main ticketing and arrival area, restaurants and marine-based learning and activity functions. The centerpiece of the district will be 'West Bay Park'. This park will compliment 'White Dolphin Park' as a major public amenity and gathering area. Kite flying festivals and fireworks on special holidays will be happen here. Ocean Transportation Plaza is the arrival and departure area for vehicular traffic. It will feature a grand central fountain with special night-light. The 'Moon Beacon' will be an illuminated sculptural tower, which is an important icon for Song-yu.

The Haicang area is rapidly expanding and with this growth comes change. While the urban design plan must accommodate the demands of this growing region it must also strive to maintain that which is special to the region and its people.