Shanghai low line park (update), central, north zhai road bridge space

The Shanghai Low Line Park is a transformation of neglected space beneath the North Zhongshan 2nd Ring elevated interchange on Beidi Road, located at Rock League Park No. 57 in Changning District, Shanghai, developed by the Changning District Construction and Transportation Committee Traffic Management Center and designed by FISH Design. Before renovation, although the site sat downtown, it was desolate, closed and unusable for surrounding residents: oppressive elevated shadows, cold columns and walls, awkward spatial scales and complex surrounding traffic were all congenital disadvantages. The project aims to create an attractive open space through three strategies. First, bold color blocks and animal graffiti representing Shanghai's urban spirit: large, bright color fields turn negative space positive, brightening the under-bridge mood. Drawing on biophilic design for fast-growing global cities, the team uses patented graffiti art to introduce three wild animals, treating concrete columns as canvases that give the district a unique identity: a pink flamingo for youth and passion, a yellow leopard for vitality and enthusiasm, and a monochrome zebra for a leisurely lifestyle, together expressing Shanghai as pluralistic, inclusive and open to possibility. Second, shared facilities built through innovative cooperation: themed sports zones for all ages include basketball, football, parent-child play, senior fitness and a riverside jogging loop, and a partnership between government, Rock League and the public ensures good maintenance and affordable prices. Third, ecological sustainability: shade- and moisture-tolerant native plants are chosen under the elevated structure, paired with seasonal grasses and flowers; surface runoff from the expressway and surrounding roads is directed into rain gardens, and hard paving uses permeable concrete, while interactive ecological design continues along the riverside path with seating and environmental interpretation. Landscape architecture plays a leading role in this cross-disciplinary team: from day one, designers worked with contractors and consultants, re-organizing circulation such as diverted non-motorized lanes and connecting the site to the city's shared street network and Suzhou Creek footpath, collaborated with architects on a service pavilion whose spiral staircase is both functional and photo-worthy, and worked with Rock League's sports designers so that courts match their themes. The project won the 2021 Shanghai Most Beautiful Public Space Award, has been widely reported in media, is beloved by Changning residents and was selected into the Ministry of Natural Resources' recommended catalog of land-saving technologies and models, influencing the renovation of under-bridge space across the city and nationally.