Harbin People's Square
Location: Heilongjiang, China
Site Area: 4.28 ha
Client: Harbin Town and Country Planning Bureau/ Harbin City Construction Investment Group
People's Square will become a new landmark on the riverside landscape belt of Harbin city. Approaching from the city through Jingwei Street towards the riverside, the first thing that catches the eye is the graceful water-themed sculpture in the central green space of Jingwei Street. The linear sculpture guides the sight directly into the main axis of People's Square—the Celebration Avenue.
Celebration Avenue unfolds the rhythm of vitality and celebration formally through the River Gate, which well defines the spatial sense of People's Square and becomes a landmark along the Friendship Road. Entering the River Gate, there is a 50-meter-wide Celebration Avenue, a ceremonial and celebratory axis expressing the city's theme of embracing nature. It transitions with artificial water features and water-themed sculptures resembling natural river currents. The avenue is lined with a canopy of trees on the side near the planned exhibition hall, providing a comfortable walking space, with water wave sculptures weaving through the trees, guiding and defining the spatial direction.
In the central part of Celebration Avenue, there are no obstructing landscape elements, ensuring a clear line of sight to the riverbank. Several sets of dynamic water fountains (mist sprays, surges, water curtains, etc.) are installed to create a festive atmosphere during summer festivals. The water consumption of the fountains is minimal, and when closed, they do not affect the square's landscape and usage.
Near the side of the People's Congress, Celebration Avenue includes a century-old historic bridge as part of it. The bridge, combined with European-style iron lampposts, shapes a strong spatial axis for the square. The bridge displays the city's history through landscape installations, and underneath, commercial service facilities are strategically placed for the convenience of square visitors. The bridge also acts as a pedestrian overpass when crossing the flood control road.
Celebration Avenue reaches its climax along the Songhua River, and at the end of the avenue, gradually entering the river, is the "River Sky Stage." It serves as a daily water-play plaza, and during festivals, various types of performances can take place. The original steps have been transformed into large tiered seating, ideal for viewing during performances. In the hot summer days, the steps become a water feature, allowing people to be in close proximity to the water.
The riverside landscape belt continues the existing civic activity spaces, appropriately transforming the ground-covering forms, adding small scenes, giving a contemporary atmosphere, and aligning well with the existing spatial texture of Stalin Park.
In the future, People's Square will not only add a beautiful landscape to the urban space but will also be a comprehensive and contemporary urban node, providing people with opportunities for reminiscing history, holiday leisure, cultural and entertainment activities, and vacation and health-related pursuits.
