Atkins has been commissioned to design the new Donghu central leisure area in Karamay in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China's richest city based on GDP per capita. The project, which evolved from Atkins' masterplan completed last year, will feature landscaped scenic parkland with facilities such as a waterside climbing wall and white water rafting, alongside a lake with boating berths and a single span bridge. The work, commissioned by the Karamay Construction Bureau, is Atkins' biggest and most complex multidisciplinary project in Mainland China to date due to the scale and the design challenge brought by dealing with local temperatures that range from around -30 degree C in the winter to over 42 degee C in the summer.
     Clive Horsman, Atkins' director for landscape in Asia Pacific, said: "Karamay exists in the far north-west of China in semi-desert conditions and the annual temperature swing of over 70 degree C between seasons presents us with some challenging design issues. Our technical teams are drawing on extensive local expertise in order to find the sustainable ecological solutions we need and in the choice of materials that will withstand the extreme heat and cold variations.
     "This presented particular problems for keeping the area well irrigated in the summer as well as dealing with the winter freeze but we have largely dealt with that by using natural resources from the nearby northern mountains. This will make sure that local plants and vegetation and natural habitats are preserved. In addition, the construction of the bridge had to be carefully planned to take account of the freezing and expansion challenges which looking closely at material choices and specifications."
     As well as being Atkins' largest multidisciplinary project ever commissioned in Mainland China, it is also the company's first bridge design commission and the most impressive water project Atkins has taken in Mainland China. Atkins' design and engineering teams have been involved from Hong Kong and the the mainland, providing expertise including landscaping, water engineering, highways and bridges, geotechnical, regional consultancy and tourism consultancy.
     On completion, the park, which covers an area of 3.41 sq km, will be the primary location for leisure in Karamay city, with a signature bridge sitting alongside a 1.8 sq km lake which connects the future central business district with the city centre.
     The area is hugely important to the future development of Karamay, which boasts the highest GDP per capita in China due to its connection with one of the country's biggest oil fields. Founded 50 years ago, Karamay has a population of 400,000 people and the ambition is to double that by 2050 by encouraging in the engineering and automotive industries, complementing those in nearby Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Province.
     Lin Hao, Project Manager of the Karamay Donghu project, says: "We have developed a very strong and special relationship with the Karamay City government since our success on the masterplan which focussed on a new transport hub, a central business district and motor city zone as well as the new park, lake and bridge. These are exciting times to be part of such a new city development."
     For more information and pictures, please refer to Building Journal February 2013 issue.