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Article

A Synergetic Perspective on the Planning of the “City in a Park”: A Case Study of the Sichuan Tianfu New Area, China

by
Siyu Chen
1,2,
Jian Qiu
1,*,
Mei Yang
2 and
Jing Li
1,3
1
School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
2
College of Art, Sichuan Tourism University, Chengdu 610100, China
3
School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Buildings 2024, 14(6), 1542; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14061542
Submission received: 13 March 2024 / Revised: 27 April 2024 / Accepted: 24 May 2024 / Published: 26 May 2024
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Urban and Regional Planning)
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Abstract

:
The “City in a Park” (CIP) is a new concept of urban transformation and development proposed in China in recent years, guiding the construction of healthy and sustainable living environments. This paper analyzes urban planning based on the CIP concept from a synergetic perspective, aiming to explore how the integrated planning of ecological spaces and built environments can promote systematic sustainable development in ecology, economy, and society. This research employs methods including document collection, unstructured interviews, field observations, and participatory observation, focusing on a case study of the Sichuan Tianfu New Area (STNA), a demonstration zone for the CIP. The study finds that the planning of the STNA extends the planning scope of urban ecological spaces beyond the traditional urban construction boundaries, not only preserving the natural resources but also enhancing the city’s overall sustainability through regional ecological services. By designing ecological spaces as green infrastructure that connects urban and rural areas, the primary sector is more readily integrated with the secondary and tertiary sectors, facilitating the integration of the urban and rural infrastructure and industries. The STNA integrates urban and rural administrative divisions, builds a cross-departmental collaborative management platform, and guides public participation in the planning process, ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of planning implementation and enhancing the equitable sharing of social services. This research provides new insights into comprehensive, cross-disciplinary, and ecology-oriented urban planning. It offers evidence for an understanding of the application pathways and effects of the CIP concept in urban planning practice and provides valuable experience for other cities to promote harmonious coexistence between the city and nature.

1. Introduction

Cities are currently grappling with the monumental challenge of transitioning from a traditional industrial civilization to a more sustainable ecological civilization. While the conventional models of urban development have contributed to economic prosperity, they have concurrently given rise to pressing issues such as environmental degradation, resource depletion, and social inequality. The rapid urbanization and industrialization in China over the past few decades, while driving robust economic growth, have also brought forth a range of undeniable adverse effects. The recent attention to extreme high-temperature weather has raised widespread concern, not only posing threats to residents’ health but also negatively impacting the urban image [1]. Furthermore, high housing prices and the concentration of educational and medical resources have intensified the life pressures experienced by some low-income groups, leading to an expanding social gap within the city [2]. With the growing emphasis on health and sustainable living environments, cities are facing an urgent need for transformation.
Urban ecological spaces play an indispensable role in the transformative development of cities. Traditional urban development models have emphasized economic growth and infrastructure construction, often neglecting environmental sustainability and the quality of residents’ lives. Urban transition seeks a more comprehensive, sustainable, and human-centered development path. As a core component of urban systems, ecological spaces play a pivotal role in achieving goals such as improving the ecological environment, enhancing citizens’ health, and promoting overall well-being [3,4,5].
Since the twentieth century, the paradigm of urban development in China has gradually changed. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, ecological civilization has been integrated into the national economic, social, cultural, and political systems, termed the “Five-in-One” overall layout. This aims to establish a long-term environmental protection mechanism, elevating environmental protection to a new level in national policy areas [6,7].
In 2018, the new urban development concept of a “City in a Park” (CIP) was proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping during his inspection of the Sichuan Tianfu New Area (STNA). The CIP emphasizes the diverse value of the city, including ecological, aesthetic, cultural, and economic value, while exhibiting a high degree of inclusivity [8,9]. It serves as a new concept for the development of green cities in China and an urban expression of ecological civilization [10,11]. The concept plays a crucial role in leading the comprehensive functions of ecological spaces within the urban context.
The essence of the CIP is fundamentally an open and complex social–ecological system, influenced by various factors, such as the natural environment, social structure, and economic development [12]. Synergetics is a theoretical framework that studies the interactions and synergy among various elements within a system [13]. In recent years, synergetics has gradually been applied to urban studies, including regional planning [14], transportation planning [15], and planning decision-making [16]. However, there is still a lack of research on the new urban development concept of the CIP from the perspective of synergetics. Guided by this theoretical framework, we endeavor to comprehend how the sustainable development of the CIP is propelled through the synergistic interaction between the urban ecological space and the built environment.
The STNA is a comprehensive functional zone approved by the State Council of China, tasked with significant national development and reform missions. Its planning and construction prominently reflect China’s strong emphasis on urban sustainable development and ecological civilization construction in the New Era. As the pioneer and demonstration area for the CIP, the STNA prioritizes ecological considerations in its planning. It actively practices this development concept, achieving preliminary success over the past five years. The practices of the CIP, green infrastructure, and the low-carbon city in the STNA not only have a significant impact on urban development in Sichuan Province and the western region of China but also provide valuable insights for global sustainable urban development. However, the STNA still faces several challenges in promoting the CIP. These challenges include how to protect and utilize natural resources effectively in the context of rapid urbanization, balancing the relationship between economic development and ecological conservation, and enhancing the urban governance capabilities to address complex urban issues. Therefore, this study selects the STNA as a case study, aiming to explore how the integrated planning of ecological spaces and built environments can promote systematic sustainable development in ecology, economy, and society.

2. Theoretical Foundation

2.1. The Concept of the CIP

2.1.1. Previous Related Theories

Research on the integrated planning of ecological spaces and built environments within global urban planning theories has continually developed over the past one to two centuries. In 1989, the Garden City theory, proposed in the UK by Howard, emphasized considering the countryside surrounding the city as an integral part of the urban area, while introducing green spaces and gardens into the cityscape. This theory influenced a series of representative planning theories, including organic dispersal theory, broadacre city, and landscape urbanism [17]. Patrick Geddes critiqued British industrial cities from a biological and ecological perspective, proposing that natural regions be the fundamental framework for planning, as discussed in the literature on evolving cities [18]. To reduce urban sprawl and leave more space for nature, Western urban scholars have proposed theories on the optimization of urban functions. Notable among these are Le Corbusier’s “Urban Planning and Design” [19], Perry’s neighborhood unit concept [20], and the “Athens Charter” [21]. In 1969, Ian McHarg, in California, USA, published “Design with Nature”, emphasizing the use of ecological principles in urban planning and design by carefully considering the ecological and landscape characteristics of regions [22]. Contemporary scholar Richard T.T. Forman has revealed the patterns and ecological processes of urban landscapes from the perspective of landscape ecology in “Urban Ecology: Science of Cities” [23]. Concepts such as the eco-city, sustainable city, green cities, and city in a garden propose development models that enhance urban ecological service functions, promoting the coordinated development of “environment–economy–society” [24,25,26]. As urban social issues continue to emerge, the equity issues of urban public spaces have gained attention. Among these, Lefebvre and David Harvey have extensively speculated on the inequalities in power and space among urban and rural residents [27].
In China, the concept of the “Shanshui City”, proposed by scientist Xuesen Qian in 1990, carries forward the traditional Chinese views of natural landscapes and the philosophical concept of unity between heaven and humans. This concept has laid a theoretical foundation for the planning of ecological cities [28]. The natural environment of cities in China has increasingly gained attention in urban development. Based on different core value orientations towards the environment in urban planning, urban theories related to ecology in China can be divided into three stages.
The first stage is the landscape garden city stage [29]. During this stage, planning is focused on the construction of parks, with the goals of increasing greenery, beautifying the environment, controlling pollution, and providing recreational and entertainment facilities. The second stage is the ecological garden city stage. Planning in this stage emphasizes the construction of ecological network systems and the enhancement of ecological functions. Specific regulations have been established for environmental monitoring indicators, such as air, water, noise, and heat island effects, and certain requirements have been set for urban biodiversity. The third stage is the low-carbon city stage [30]. In this stage, low-carbon and ecological concepts are integrated into more comprehensive urban planning, effectively promoting green urban development. In urban development assessments, standards related to energy conservation and emission reduction play a significant role, such as mixed land use, a low-carbon economy, green transportation, green buildings, and the utilization of renewable energy [31]. In response to the improvement in the urban water environment, China has proposed the concept of a sponge city, committed to constructing ecological spaces that mimic natural water circulation patterns [32].

2.1.2. The CIP

The concept of the CIP has evolved from these urban planning theories guided by ecological principles, providing a new perspective on urban ecological environment protection, green industry development, and the enhancement of people’s well-being. The CIP goes beyond being a city with numerous parks; instead, it embodies the idea of an entire city as a “big park”, forming a large, park-like system that covers the entire urban landscape [33]. The ecological spaces constitute the environmental foundation of this “big park”, with the city emerging as a series of buildings within this expansive concept. Consequently, the ecological spaces of the CIP extend beyond traditional urban development areas, encompassing regional park systems, urban park systems, and ecological corridor systems—a multi-scale, cross-regional park network [34]. Simultaneously, the economic development of the CIP is fueled by the innovative drive of green industries [35]. On the one hand, the ecological and livable environment attracts innovative businesses and talent, propelling the transformation of traditional industries. On the other hand, it activates the ecological value of traditional industries, such as leisure agriculture and high-end manufacturing, guiding the consumption of green industries. Finally, the CIP emphasizes the public attributes inherent in parks, stressing the enhancement of fairness in social services. For instance, spatial planning is centered around the preservation and restoration of the regional ecology, alleviating the primary contradiction of China’s current “unbalanced and inadequate” development, thereby promoting the improvement of people’s well-being [36].

2.2. Synergetics of Urban Systems

Synergetics, a theory proposed by the renowned physicist Haken in the 1970s, is an important branch of systemics. Synergetics studies the mechanism by which systems composed of various quantum subsystems, under certain conditions, exhibit self-organizing structures with specific functions on a macroscopic scale, surpassing the sum of the individual subsystem functions, through the synergistic interaction of matter, energy, and signals among the subsystems [13,37]. Synergetics has been widely applied in the natural sciences, such as physics, biology, and chemistry, as well as in sociology and economics, and it has gradually been introduced into urban planning [38]. In the field of urban planning, the theory of synergetics provides a framework for the interpretation of cities as complex systems. Cities are not just collections of physical spaces; they are open, complex systems where social activities, economic development, and the natural environment interact. The synergies within urban systems exhibit the following characteristics.

2.2.1. Resilience

The urban system possesses the capability to dynamically adapt to environmental changes. The concept of adaptability was initially introduced in ecology to describe the ability of an ecosystem to recover its original structure or function after a disturbance [39]. Holling emphasized the concept of dynamic stability in ecosystems, introducing the “adaptive cycle” to explain how ecosystems maintain their complexity and adaptability through different phases of growth, accumulation, reorganization, and release [40]. The concept of adaptability was later extended to social–ecological systems (SES), which is an integrated framework capturing the interactions between human society and ecological systems. Berkes and Folke explored how social–ecological systems enhance adaptability through learning, self-organization, and multi-level governance [41]. Folke et al. further introduced concepts such as “resilience”, “adaptability”, and “transformability”, emphasizing the system’s responsiveness to change [42].
In recent years, resilience theory has found application in urban systems, particularly in the fields of urban planning and sustainable development [43,44]. Urban resilience refers to a city’s ability to continuously adjust its structure and functions through feedback mechanisms to adapt to external changes, such as climate change and economic crises [45,46]. Concepts such as urban green infrastructure and nature-based solutions, as strategies to enhance urban resilience, work by reinforcing ecosystem services to support the sustainability of cities [47,48,49].

2.2.2. Self-Organization

The self-organizing capacity of urban systems reflects their inherent learning, complexity, and evolutionary characteristics, enabling cities to spontaneously form ordered new structures through local interactions among their internal subsystems without central control. This self-organization is the foundation for urban adaptation to environmental changes and internal disturbances, manifesting as the formation of functional zones, development of transportation networks, and evolution of community structures [12]. Initially derived from the study of natural systems, such as ecosystems and economic systems, self-organization was later introduced into urban research. The self-organizing processes of urban systems demonstrate their learning ability, wherein cities continuously learn from their experiences and adjust their behaviors and structures through ongoing interaction and feedback loops. The decisions and actions of urban actors, such as residents, businesses, and governments, interact to form complex networks. Through learning and adaptation, these networks can generate new spatial patterns and social structures [43,50,51]. The self-organizing processes of urban systems lead to the complexity of their structure and functions. As a dynamic complex system, the complexity of the city arises from numerous interdependent and interacting components. Moreover, these interactions are often nonlinear, meaning that small, local changes can trigger large-scale impacts across the system, rendering it unpredictable [12]. This complexity enables cities to spontaneously generate new organizational structures and stable operational patterns across multiple scales, allowing them to more effectively respond to environmental changes and societal demands [52].

2.2.3. Multi-Level Structure

As cities continuously generate new structures and gradually increase in complexity, self-organizing systems produce multi-level structures, including individuals, communities, cities, and urban clusters. Each level has its specific organizational methods and operational rules, and the interactions between levels influence the behavior and development of the entire urban system [52]. However, the internal correlations within subsystems are often more numerous and stronger than those between subsystems. Various subsystems, such as transportation networks, residential areas, and commercial centers, form tight interactions and feedback loops internally. While interactions between these subsystems exist, they tend to be relatively weak. Due to differences in economic activities, social networks, and cultural preferences, urban spaces exhibit varying degrees of differentiation and specialization, leading to a high concentration and interdependence among the functions and activities within each region [53]. Research indicates that the connections within the city’s transportation network and functional zones are usually denser and more frequent than those between regions. These internal connections support the specialization and efficiency improvement of regional functions [54]. At the community level, studies on neighborhood effects reveal that social interactions and network relationships among residents primarily form within geographically proximate communities. These internally tight social connections have a significant impact on community cohesion and identity [55]. Carlos Moreno, in his concept of the “15 min city”, suggests creating an environment where residents can easily reach most places necessary for daily life within a 15 min walk or bike ride, such as workplaces, schools, shopping centers, medical facilities, entertainment venues, and parks. This approach aims to enhance urban convenience and improve the quality of life of residents [56].

2.3. Multi-Dimensional Benefits of Urban Ecological Spatial Planning

The benefits of urban ecological spatial planning consists of three parts, including an ecological built environment, integrated industrial functions, and fair governance mechanisms. The material spatial foundation of the CIP system is composed of ecological elements such as forests, wetlands, and parks, along with architectural elements like buildings, roads, and squares. The spatial functions of the CIP system are multifaceted, integrating various socio-economic activities from primary, secondary, and tertiary industries, serving as a driving force for the achievement of sustainable development. To ensure the operation of the CIP system, governance mechanisms such as fair public services and public participation processes are crucially needed.

2.3.1. Ecological Built Environment

The ecological space system and built environment spontaneously interact with each other. The ecological benefits of green space extend beyond the system itself, enhancing the surrounding built environment. The effective integration of ecological space and the built environment can significantly enhance the ecological performance of urban environments, including improving the air quality, mitigating climate change, reducing stormwater runoff, and enhancing biodiversity [57,58,59]. For instance, urban trees and green spaces can absorb air pollutants generated by the built environment and provide shade to lower the temperature of moving air, thereby alleviating the urban heat island effect [60,61,62]. Even small-scale ecological spaces, such as green roofs, can reduce the average flood depth by up to 13% in critical areas of the built environment [57]. Designers can create diverse ecological spaces around buildings, such as vertical gardens and urban gardens, to provide habitats for various species and increase the opportunities for residents to connect with nature [63]. Urban landscape ecological planning establishes ecological networks and connects ecological corridors to protect and restore ecological functions [64]. Large-scale park systems, conservation areas, and green infrastructure in urban areas contribute to maintaining biodiversity and providing essential ecological services [65].

2.3.2. Integrated Industrial Functions

Industrial functional diversity refers to the diversification and complementarity of the urban industrial layout, encompassing the spatial agglomeration of economic activities and the enhancement of ecological and social value. The ecological space system serves not only as an ecological infrastructure but also as a crucial resource for the promotion of economic innovation, creating employment opportunities, and enhancing urban competitiveness. The integration of ecological space and the built environment provides opportunities for leisure and tourism, enhances the urban attractiveness, and improves the quality of living environments, directly and indirectly fostering urban economic development [66,67]. Research indicates that a well-designed urban ecological environment can attract talent and investment and stimulate economic diversification, thereby strengthening the urban economic resilience and sustainable development capabilities [68,69]. Ecological spaces are considered part of the urban innovation system, offering the ecological services and creative inspiration needed for innovative activities. For example, suburban farmland exhibits multifunctionality. The development of green industries such as urban agriculture and ecotourism not only provides new points of economic growth for the city but also drives technological innovation and the emergence of new business models [70,71]. Ecological spaces play a bridging role in urban spatial restructuring, promoting the optimization of industrial layouts and the rebalancing of regional economies through ecological restoration and spatial reshaping. In industrial parks, engaging in ecological industries reduces the ecological footprint of the park [72]. Planning green belts and water bodies around industrial areas can provide ecological services, improve working environments, and promote sustainable industrial development [73]. In business districts, sustainable landscapes offer leisure and relaxation spaces for white-collar workers and attract commercial investments [74,75].

2.3.3. Equitable Social Services

Ecological spaces, considered as public spaces within the city, serve as a lever in achieving the fair governance of urban spaces, playing a crucial role in enhancing social well-being, promoting public health, and strengthening public participation [76,77,78]. Parks, gardens, green belts, and similar areas provide valuable leisure and relaxation spots for urban residents, contributing to improved quality of life and happiness [79,80]. These spaces encourage outdoor activities, offering opportunities for interaction with nature, thereby reducing stress and enhancing individual mental health [81]. Ecological spaces have a significantly positive impact on public health. Research indicates that exposure to natural environments can reduce psychological stress and anxiety, lowering the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes [82,83], and can even extend life expectancy [84]. Spaces like parks and green belts encourage residents to engage in physical activities like walking, running, and cycling, contributing to maintaining a healthy lifestyle [85]. The planning, design, and management processes of ecological spaces provide crucial opportunities to promote public participation [86,87]. Through engagement in these processes, residents can voice their opinions on their living environments and participate in decision-making, thereby strengthening their sense of belonging and responsibility to the community. Community gardens and urban farming projects not only enhance the ecological quality of the city but also foster the active participation of residents in environmental protection and sustainable development [88].

3. Materials and Methods

3.1. Conceptual Framework

Based on an analysis of the related theories, this study adopts the perspective of synergetics and focuses on urban planning that practices the concept of the CIP. We built a conceptual framework (Figure 1). It seeks to explain how to plan an integrated spatial pattern comprising urban ecological spaces and built environments to establish ecological and equitable adaptation mechanisms. This approach aims to activate the multifunctionality of urban spaces and promote sustainable development.
Multifunctionality refers to the multiple dimensions of urban spaces, such as ecological, economic, and social functions. Spatial planning not only focuses on enhancing a single function but also aims to enhance the overall urban sustainability by integrating multiple functions, thereby addressing the complex social challenges faced in urban development. These challenges include climate change, the development of green industries, and public health, etc.
The spatial pattern is the integrated system of urban ecological spaces and built environments. This system can be understood and constructed through macro, meso, and micro scales and conceptualized through points, lines, and planes. Each spatial element plays a unique role within the system and works in synergy with others. For example, at the neighborhood scale, a point could be a small spatial node like a street corner park, a green building, or a garden-style community.
Adaptation mechanisms focus on establishing dynamic feedback systems to monitor, assess, and adjust various practices in urban planning and management, ensuring that cities can continually adapt to changing environmental, social, and economic conditions. For instance, in terms of the environment, environmental monitoring equipment is utilized to collect data on ecological conditions, analyze the performance of spatial functions, and then feed the evaluation results back to the planning and management departments to adjust urban planning and environmental policies.

3.2. Case Study: Sichuan Tianfu New Area

Officially established in 2014, the STNA is situated to the southeast of the central urban area of Chengdu, Sichuan Province. The region spans seven counties (cities and districts) under the jurisdictions of Chengdu, Meishan, and Ziyang, covering a planned area of 1578 km2, with an anticipated population of 3.5 million (Figure 2). The urban planning and design of the STNA adhere to the principles of rational ecological planning, emphasizing priorities such as environmental protection, the integration of industry and city, and cultural heritage [89,90]. Inspired by the rational ecological planning theory, the area represents a prototype of an advanced urban form of the CIP.
Since the concept of the CIP was proposed in February 2018, the STNA has actively explored new planning theories and practices. It has followed the technical guidance pathway of the “Park City Index (Framework System)” [8], employing green building, nature-based solutions (NbS), and smart city planning and management technologies. Having been implemented for over five years, it has achieved demonstrative results. Therefore, this study selects the STNA as a case study for the analysis of the planning of a CIP.

3.3. Data Sources and Collection Methods

3.3.1. Document Collection

This subsection describes the methods employed to collect textual and imagery data relevant to the study. The collected texts serve as a foundation for an understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of the CIP planning in the Tianfu New Area and Chengdu.
  • Urban Planning and Policy Documents: This includes comprehensive urban master plans, urban design guidelines, and special planning documents for the STNA. These materials are sourced from publicly released documents and planning materials provided by government urban planning agencies, as well as internal technical documents provided by urban planning and design firms. They are utilized to understand the objectives, strategies, and schemes of CIP planning from a policy perspective.
  • Academic Papers and Monographs: This category encompasses scholarly evaluations, case analyses, and theoretical discussions regarding the CIP planning of the STNA and Chengdu. These materials are obtained from databases such as the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), thematic reports from academic conferences, and publications from book publishers. They are used to acquire third-party assessments and theoretical support for CIP planning in Chengdu.
  • Media Reports: This includes news articles, public comments, and featured discussions reporting on CIP planning in Chengdu. These materials are sourced from news media, blogs, and social media platforms and are employed to comprehend the implementation of CIP planning, as well as public opinions and reactions towards CIP planning in Chengdu.

3.3.2. Unstructured Interviews

In February 2021, the research team organized a collective discussion lasting approximately two hours. The participants included professionals from multiple relevant fields, such as officers from urban planning and management departments, planners from planning and design institutes, and researchers from research institutes and universities. The participants shared the specific practices that their organizations implemented in promoting the CIP concept, the challenges encountered, and the strategies to address these challenges. This information could be used to understand and analyze the experiences and perspectives of various stakeholders involved in the management, planning, and research processes of a CIP.
In addition to organizing a collective discussion, we extensively used unstructured interviews as a method for data collection, to delve deeper into the implementation of the planning in the STNA. These interviews included not only conversations with management and design personnel from the planning departments but also daily interactions with residents living in the STNA. Interviewees were allowed to freely express their views and feelings about their living environments, community facilities, and the implementation of the CIP concept. Through these diverse perspectives, we were able to collect comprehensive information ranging from policy-making to everyday life experiences.

3.3.3. Field Observations

The research team resided in the city where the STNA is located. Since the introduction of the CIP concept in 2018, over approximately five years, the researchers have used informal observation methods in their work and daily lives. They employed direct observation, photography, and note-taking to collect data on the utilization of spaces, environmental quality, and residents’ activities. These data could be used to reveal the impact of urban planning on residents’ lives and understand how residents adapt to and utilize urban spaces.

3.3.4. Participatory Observation

The corresponding author of this paper, who has served as the Head of Planning Technology for the STNA since its inception in 2010, participated in the preparation process and assumed responsibilities for planning design, technical organization, and implementation management until 2019. Additionally, some authors, as design technicians, were involved in the process from design to the cooperative construction of community gardens in the STNA in June 2023. These experiences and insights are utilized to deeply understand the dynamic changes in the CIP planning of the STNA and the reasons behind these changes.

4. Results

4.1. Spatial Planning of the “Great Park”

4.1.1. Site Selection Avoiding Prime Farmland

Food security is a fundamental guarantee for the sustainable development of a CIP. In 2013, when selecting a site for the STNA, there was a decision to be made about whether to develop towards the north, south, east, or west. From a construction perspective, the area west of Chengdu’s main urban zone is the flattest, and the northern area has a solid foundation in advanced manufacturing and urban infrastructure, making it a prime candidate for development. However, an analysis of the natural resources in the overall planning documents revealed that these two regions had rich water systems and abundant fertile farmland, making them valuable for agricultural preservation [91].
The southern region, home to Shuangliu International Airport and bordered by several major railways and highways, connects with the high-tech and modern service industry-focused High-Tech Zone. Its terrain comprises mountains, low hills, and plateaus, which are less suitable for agriculture than the western and northern areas. Balancing ecological value and construction costs and adhering to the site selection principles of “protecting fertile farmland, ensuring urban safety, maintaining ecological livability, leveraging regional advantages, and integrating new and old urban areas”, the southern area was ultimately chosen for development [92]. The selection of this site not only preserved the high-quality agricultural land but also laid the foundation for the STNA to be approved in 2021 to start a pilot project for standardized CIP development.

4.1.2. Spatial Layout with Ecological Priority

Creating an ecologically livable environment is one of the primary construction goals of a CIP. The planning for the STNA prioritized the layout of ecological functional areas and ecological corridors, dividing urban construction land into several spatial units with multifunctional capabilities. This approach not only avoided the sprawl of “pancake-style” urban expansion but also protected ecological spaces. Ultimately, the planning areas for ecological spaces and urban construction zones are controlled at a ratio of 7:3 [92].
Urban units are designed to follow the natural mechanisms of the terrain and water systems, with a focus on protecting the ecologically sensitive Longquan Mountain in the east and the Pengzu Mountain low hills in the southwest. Along major waterways, railways, expressways, and fast roads, “four horizontal and seven vertical” ecological corridors are formed [91]. These interwoven ecological corridors and urban transport systems lay the foundation for the district’s ecologically livable environment.
The ecological space planning reserves ecological buffer zones and corridors for the city. These spaces become the city’s ventilation corridors and “green lungs”, also serving as strategically significant “reserved” areas. At the same time, ecological functional areas divide the city into a pattern of “one belt, two wings, one city, six areas” (see Figure 3). In addition to providing urban ecological conservation functions, these ecological functional areas also serve the residents of adjacent urban functional areas, offering multiple functions such as recreation, entertainment, and science education. For example, the Luxi River Ecological Zone, one of the main ecological corridors of the STNA, is located between the science city cluster and the central business district cluster. The ecological zone, while restoring forest and wetland spaces, also provides riverside greenways and water paths. On sunny holidays, a large number of citizens visit for camping, hiking, cycling, and other activities, enhancing the social value of the ecological spaces (see Figure 4).

4.1.3. Construction of Integrated Urban–Rural Green Space System

Equity is one of the objectives of a CIP. Ecological spaces are public spaces that can provide social welfare. The planning for the STNA adopted the strategy of “green wedges, green belts, and green hearts”, creating a balanced distribution of green spaces [91]. “Green wedges” located in suburban areas separate urban functional zones, creating ecological corridors and shortening the distance between urban and rural areas. For example, the remnants of Pengzu Mountain extend deep into the southern side of the STNA. By preserving the large-scale woodlands that have already formed and protecting the adjacent Jinjiang and Luxi Rivers, ecological resources are safeguarded. Fresh air can easily be channeled into urban functional areas, and city residents have more convenient access to nearby ecological parks for leisure and recreation. In an interview with a woman who had lived in Chengdu for over ten years, she mentioned, “Since Chengdu started building the CIP, I’ve noticeably found more places to take my child. The variety of activities available in these large parks has also increased”.
Inside urban functional zones, ecological “green belts” divide the area into multiple urban clusters and connect the interior parks and green spaces with the “green wedges” around the city (see Figure 5). The landscape design of the “green belts” is meticulous, featuring seasonally changing plants, convenient walking paths, bicycle lanes, and fitness equipment, providing residents with a variety of services, including rest, entertainment, and fitness. Urban public service facilities are arranged around parks of various levels within urban clusters and communities, forming the “green hearts” of the clusters and communities. The urban cluster-level “green heart” is a comprehensive “central park” that houses cluster-level public service facilities, including cultural activity centers, sports fields, and community health service centers. The community park-level “green heart” incorporates community-level public service facilities built in a complex style, including comprehensive community service centers, community rooms, farmers’ markets, kindergartens, and fitness facilities. This arrangement creates an ecologically livable public space system for community residents, with “green within 500 m and water within 1000 m”.

4.2. Development of Green Industry

4.2.1. Integration of Diverse Industries

The integration of primary, secondary, and tertiary industries is one of the pathways to achieving economic green development in a CIP. The planning for the STNA included spatial units for coordinated urban–rural development, promoting the integration of diverse industrial functions within the region. Towns and villages have enhanced their infrastructure for roads, transportation, and communication, connecting the “last mile” to the city’s infrastructure and thereby improving the accessibility and convenience of urban–rural transport. Improved infrastructure creates a favorable material foundation for the introduction of secondary and tertiary industries to rural areas.
For example, Guantang Village in Zhengxing Street, located adjacent to the Science City and West Expo City, serves as a rural pilot in the CIP demonstration area. Guantang Village has renovated roads connecting to the city and adopted a “small-scale, clustered, micro-pastoral, ecological” model. It has integrated idle and fragmented agricultural land resources, enhancing the land utilization and overall value. The village has constructed a group of Sichuan-style rural dwellings with traditional cultural characteristics and designed landscapes according to the requirements of tourist attractions, integrating the residences into a cohesive whole. On specific holidays, Guantang Village organizes activities featuring rural and traditional folk customs.
While preserving agricultural production, Guantang Village uses its farmland landscape and traditional folk experiences as attractions, incorporating homestays, intangible cultural heritage studios, hotels, and restaurants into its tourism offerings, thus promoting the integration of urban and rural industries. This has expanded the income sources for villagers and provided city dwellers with richer and more convenient rural tourism experiences (see Figure 6).

4.2.2. Attraction of Innovative Enterprises

A CIP leverages industrial innovation as the driving force for economic development, which hinges on innovative talent and enterprise. In the master plan of the STNA, a central business district focused on information services and finance has been strategically positioned at the core of the center. This area is designed with an ecologically favorable living environment and is complemented by high-quality public services including commerce, education, and healthcare.
For instance, in the core area of Luxi Intelligent Valley within the Science City, located next to Xinglong Lake, the region’s largest man-made lake, the area boasts rich landscapes, convenient transportation, and a full suite of public service facilities. It has attracted a host of state-owned enterprises and national research institutions. Among these, the National Chengdu Agricultural Science and Technology Center has planned and designed a 300-acre cluster for research, office, and residential support facilities, as well as a 3000-acre modern agricultural technology integration demonstration zone. This zone provides multifunctional services including experimental demonstrations, results transformation, and leisure experiences, offering a high-quality environment for the work and living of research personnel.
The influx of innovative enterprises and talent into the STNA has enhanced the region’s innovative capacity. During random interviews with innovative talent who had relocated to the STNA from other cities, the respondents frequently highlighted the ecological environment as a major attraction. One researcher who moved from Chongqing commented, “The ecological environment in Tianfu New Area is exceptionally good, it’s like a big park” and added, “I was amazed when I first arrived!”

4.2.3. Shaping of Cultural Characteristics

The CIP respects diverse cultures. In the planning of the STNA, distinctive cultural characteristics have been sculpted through urban design guidelines based on the different industrial functions of the seven urban functional zones, combined with each zone’s historical, cultural, and natural environmental endowments.
For example, the central business district (CBD) is designed to reflect an urban landscape with natural scenery. The central area predominantly features modern-style office buildings. Between these skyscrapers, Tianfu Central Park has been planned and designed, integrating modern skyscrapers with natural landscapes to create a cutting-edge business atmosphere for financial, computer, and other innovative service enterprises (see Figure 7). In the modern agricultural demonstration area, the plan involves a clustered layout of modern multi-story office buildings with farmland planned around the periphery. Large, well-organized fields facilitate the use of modern agricultural machinery, creating a modern pastoral urban landscape. The “Two Lakes and One Mountain” tourism area preserves and restores historical buildings and plans designs in the traditional Western Sichuan residential style, creating a historical and cultural ambiance that attracts tourists.
The unique cultural characteristics of each urban functional zone foster differentiated competition within industries, enhancing the comprehensiveness and balance of the industries in the STNA.

4.3. Equitable Social Services

4.3.1. Integration of Urban and Rural Administrative Divisions

The CIP emphasizes the integration of urban and rural areas. The STNA has adjusted its administrative divisions to unify the planning, construction, and governance of urban and rural areas. The administrative division of the STNA, directly managed by the city of Chengdu, breaks traditional urban–rural administrative boundaries. It has been reorganized based on the resources, functions, environment, and location of each area, resulting in nine integrated urban–rural street governance units. This new administrative division has promoted the balanced development of infrastructure such as transportation, education, and healthcare, allowing rural residents to enjoy public services similar to those available to urban residents. This administrative and governance innovation effectively facilitates the optimal allocation of resources and the balanced development of service facilities within the region, thereby strengthening the functional complementarity and socio-economic integration between urban and rural areas.

4.3.2. Establishment of Interdepartmental Collaboration Platform

The CIP faces complex social challenges. To better address these challenges, effective cross-departmental collaboration is often required. The STNA has established a flat management collaboration mechanism. Under this mechanism, the Management Committee plays a leading role, the CIP Construction Management Bureau is responsible for work coordination, and the CIP Research Institute provides technical support and leadership. This has resulted in a collaborative working model among the departments, ensuring smooth planning and construction processes.
In terms of projects’ collaborative approval processes, the STNA has established a digitalized smart planning management network platform. This platform makes full use of advanced technological tools such as big data and artificial intelligence to realize a complete digital planning management process from project planning to completion and acceptance. This not only simplifies the approval process but also significantly enhances the efficiency of project approvals. Through such a platform, different departments and management functions achieve efficient collaborative work, further advancing the integration of urban and rural governance.

4.3.3. Guidance on Public Participation Processes

The starting point of a CIP is to fulfill people’s aspirations for a better life. The planning and implementation of the STNA adhere to the principles of scientific and democratic governance, establishing mechanisms for public participation. In the early stages of planning, draft plans are publicly released through various channels, including government websites, community bulletin boards, and local media, to ensure that all stakeholders have timely access to planning information. The STNA has set up an online feedback platform and social media accounts. Citizens can express their opinions through phone calls, web message boards, and social media.
Community committees organize workshops that invite community members, urban planners, environmental experts, and policymakers to discuss the planning proposals. However, the government still holds the ultimate authority in the planning process, and public engagement is not very high. For example, a member of our research team, as a design professional, participated in the design and construction of a community garden in the Jianghua Community of Longquanyi District. Although community residents participated in discussing the plans, designing public art, and planting in the garden, the final decision-making power remained with the government. Residents’ participation was focused on enriching their experiences rather than influencing outcomes.

5. Discussion

Through a case study of the Sichuan Tianfu New Area (STNA), this paper explores the practices of City in a Park (CIP) planning, finding that the CIP concept facilitates the synergy between ecological spaces and the built environment, promoting the transformation of cities towards ecological civilization and sustainable development.
Firstly, in the process of promoting the synergy between ecological spaces and the built environment, the planning of the STNA goes beyond the traditional scope of urban construction, including surrounding rural areas. This approach ensures that the planned area of the STNA includes a higher proportion of ecological spaces, accounting for about 70%. The ratio is similar to the Xiong’an New Area near Beijing, which is an important strategic project for China’s future development [93]. In the suburbs, the STNA has planned “green wedges” and “green corridors”, creating a broader ecological space system together with the city’s green infrastructure, presenting a city within a park. Ecological spaces serve multiple functions, such as providing ecological resources, regulating the ecological environment, and offering recreational activities. Therefore, urban ecological areas act as “purifiers” for urban functional zones, improving the air quality and mitigating urban heat island effects. Although both traditional “garden cities” and the CIP incorporate urban–rural integration [17], the STNA places more emphasis on the ecological value of rural areas, such as biodiversity and urban climate regulation, providing new planning ideas and tools to address environmental challenges on a larger scale.
Secondly, the ecological functional areas in the countryside have introduced more industries, enhancing the integration of the primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors. The agricultural fields in the STNA are small and fragmented, a layout linked to historical farming methods and land distribution systems. Historically, agriculture in the Chengdu area has focused on small-scale, high-efficiency farming, which is not conducive to the use of large modern agricultural equipment. However, as the infrastructure connection between rural and urban areas strengthens and commercial facilities increase, these rural ecological spaces create new investment opportunities, such as rural tourism, including country hotels, natural education bases, and intangible cultural heritage workshops. Singapore, following the “City in a Garden” concept, also retains large forested areas within its urban planning zone [26], but these ecological spaces mainly serve ecological functions like water and air pollution control, as well as global climate adaptation, with limited recreational functions [94]. In contrast, the rural ecological spaces in the STNA not only preserve local residential and agricultural production functions but also create leisure opportunities, providing more income sources for farmers. This offers practical pathways and experiences to improve the rural industrial levels and integrate the three economic sectors.
Lastly, the planning of the STNA emphasizes the public service attributes of ecological spaces. The balanced layout of ecological spaces and other basic service infrastructures ensures the more equitable sharing of public resources. Although the residents of the STNA participate in planning, compared to public participation in developed countries’ cities, such as Stockholm, Sweden [86], the voices and enthusiasm of the STNA’s community residents are relatively weak. Fortunately, the STNA has established an integrated multi-level green space system across urban and rural areas, placing public service facilities in functional areas, clusters, and communities based on public green spaces, achieving “green within 500 m, water within 1000 m” and enhancing the equity and public nature of services. The expansion of urban public service facilities into surrounding rural areas, such as medical, educational, and transportation services, effectively narrows the accessibility gap in public services between urban and rural areas, providing planning tools and methods to improve the fairness of social services.

6. Conclusions

Urban development is always accompanied by spatial expansion. However, the question of how to expand without harming the ecological environment poses a challenge for urban planning. The planning of the Sichuan Tianfu New Area (STNA) extends the scope of urban ecological spaces beyond traditional urban construction boundaries. Based on ecology, it creates a pattern of “green wedges” and “green corridors”, which are connected to the city’s internal green space system. The city is divided into clustered urban functional areas by ecological spaces, resembling buildings in a large “city-like park”. This ecology-centric planning strategy not only preserves the natural resources but also enhances the overall sustainability of the city through regional ecological services. By designing ecological spaces as green infrastructure connecting urban and rural areas, the STNA’s planning promotes urban–rural integration. This design not only addresses the issue of uneven development between urban and rural areas but also strengthens the physical and social connections between them through shared infrastructure and services.
Traditional economic growth faces challenges due to natural resource consumption. However, thanks to the spatial pattern integrating ecological spaces and built environments, the primary industry in the STNA’s ecological spaces can more easily interact with the secondary and tertiary industries, forming new green industries and distinctive urban landscapes. Moreover, an ecologically livable urban environment attracts innovative enterprises and talent, playing a key role in enhancing the city’s economic competitiveness and innovative capacity.
The nature of land in rural and urban areas is complex and it is managed by multiple departments, which causes the planning and implementation of urban–rural integration to face coordination issues among different interest groups. The STNA addresses this by integrating the administrative divisions of urban and rural areas, allowing public services to be shared across urban and rural scopes. The construction of a cross-departmental collaborative management platform significantly improves the efficiency of project approvals. Guiding public participation in the planning process also enables residents to better understand planning policies, express their needs, and provide feedback on issues during planning. This not only enhances the transparency of planning and residents’ satisfaction but also allows residents to directly influence and shape their living environment, increasing the acceptance and effectiveness of the planning.
The STNA’s planning practices offer valuable experiences for global cities, showcasing the great potential and benefits of sustainable urban development. These strategies not only promote the protection of urban ecological environments and the enhancement of ecological services but also strengthen the city’s social and economic structure through promoting economic diversification and community participation. This article presents preliminary thoughts on the STNA’s practice of the CIP concept from a synergistic perspective. The analysis in this study is primarily qualitative. For similar comprehensive, cross-disciplinary, and ecology-oriented planning research, further detailed studies incorporating quantitative data and addressing specific complex social challenges are needed to deepen the understanding of different types and scales of urban space planning.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, S.C. and J.Q.; methodology, S.C. and J.Q.; software, S.C. and M.Y.; investigation, S.C. and J.L.; writing—original draft preparation, S.C.; writing—review and editing, S.C., M.Y. and J.L.; visualization, S.C.; supervision, J.Q. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number: 52078423) and the Key Research and Development Project of Science and Technology Plan of Sichuan Province (grant number: 2020YFS0054).

Data Availability Statement

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding authors.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Figure 1. Conceptual framework of synergy in the CIP.
Figure 1. Conceptual framework of synergy in the CIP.
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Figure 2. Location of Sichuan Tianfu New Area. Source: administrative boundary data derived from the National Earth System Science Data Center. The aerial photo is derived from Google Earth in 2024.
Figure 2. Location of Sichuan Tianfu New Area. Source: administrative boundary data derived from the National Earth System Science Data Center. The aerial photo is derived from Google Earth in 2024.
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Figure 3. Spatial structure layout of STNA: (a) urban functional areas divided by ecological functional areas; (b) ecological network. Source: authors’ redrawing based on the Master Plan of the STNA (2010–2030) [92].
Figure 3. Spatial structure layout of STNA: (a) urban functional areas divided by ecological functional areas; (b) ecological network. Source: authors’ redrawing based on the Master Plan of the STNA (2010–2030) [92].
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Figure 4. Photos of Luxi Ecological Functional Area: (Top Left) residents camping; (Top Right) trails along wetland; (Bottom) overall aerial photo.
Figure 4. Photos of Luxi Ecological Functional Area: (Top Left) residents camping; (Top Right) trails along wetland; (Bottom) overall aerial photo.
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Figure 5. Photos of green space between urban clusters in the STNA.
Figure 5. Photos of green space between urban clusters in the STNA.
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Figure 6. Photos of Guantang New Village.
Figure 6. Photos of Guantang New Village.
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Figure 7. Aerial photo of central park in the Tianfu New Town functional area.
Figure 7. Aerial photo of central park in the Tianfu New Town functional area.
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Chen, S.; Qiu, J.; Yang, M.; Li, J. A Synergetic Perspective on the Planning of the “City in a Park”: A Case Study of the Sichuan Tianfu New Area, China. Buildings 2024, 14, 1542. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14061542

AMA Style

Chen S, Qiu J, Yang M, Li J. A Synergetic Perspective on the Planning of the “City in a Park”: A Case Study of the Sichuan Tianfu New Area, China. Buildings. 2024; 14(6):1542. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14061542

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chen, Siyu, Jian Qiu, Mei Yang, and Jing Li. 2024. "A Synergetic Perspective on the Planning of the “City in a Park”: A Case Study of the Sichuan Tianfu New Area, China" Buildings 14, no. 6: 1542. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14061542

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