Simachong, located in the northern part of Liwan District in Guangzhou, is one of the city's historically significant waterways. On January 5^th, the reporter visited this once severely polluted waterway to witness the progress made in its waterfront environmental restoration, a monumental endeavor that greatly impacts the residents.

Stretching 6.75 kilometers in length and covering approximately 10 square kilometers, Simachong holds great cultural significance as the birthplace of the Xiguan culture in Guangzhou. However, due to various historical factors, the waterway has suffered from severe pollution caused by the excessive discharge of domestic waste and sewage. Furthermore, rapid urban development along its banks has also resulted in the degradation of its natural beauty. In 2023, Liwan District of Guangzhou initiated the Simachong waterfront environmental restoration project, a massive undertaking aimed at improving the living conditions of its inhabitants. Today, the waterway and its surrounding landscape have been revitalized, receiving widespread acclaim from the local community.

"Unimaginable scenarios have become reality, with the separation of pedestrians and vehicles, as well as the addition of running paths that connect the entire scenic area," said Du Fan, the director of the Third Design Institute of Guangzhou Institute of Forestry and Landscape Architecture. Through meticulous spatial optimization and delicate renovations, the restoration project maximized the limited space to create user-friendly designs. The project incorporates bird-watching corridors, sponge grass steps, and other human-centric elements, achieving the vision of "waters and scenery at your doorsteps".

Balancing the preservation of natural features with the fulfillment of practical needs posed a significant challenge during this transformation. It is understood that the Simachong waterfront environmental restoration project is divided into two phases, including the renovation of approximately 1.8 kilometers of riverbanks and an area of approximately 6.5 hectares. The first phase has been completed and opened to the public, while the second phase is currently being rapidly implemented, with the aim of completion before the Spring Festival in 2024. The waterfront is a popular spot for both locals and tourists, offering leisure activities around the clock. The elderly bask in the sun, parents take leisurely walks with their children, and residents capture moments through photographs.

Upon the project's completion, a continuous slow transportation system will span the entire Simachong, forming a 3.54-kilometer leisurely walking loop and a 2.72-kilometer running track. The waterfront will connect the social spaces of the old and new streets, enabling Simachong to be a corridor that links different neighborhoods.

Source :Yangcheng Evening News

开门见水，推窗见景！广州荔湾驷马涌大变样

广州市荔湾区北部的驷马涌，是广州其中一条历史悠久的河道。1月5日，记者探访了这条曾被严重污染的驷马涌流域，了解驷马涌滨水环境整治情况，见证民生“大工程”。

驷马涌全长6.75公里，流域面积约10平方公里，是广州西关文化的发祥地。由于各种历史原因，驷马涌一度因生活垃圾与污水过度排放而受到严重污染，加之沿岸大兴土木，自然景色也遭到破坏。2023年，广州市荔湾区启动实施驷马涌滨水环境整治工程，赋能“百千万工程”。如今，驷马涌及沿岸景观焕然一新，收获了居民的认可。

“实现了原来不可想象的人车分流，同时把跑步道放进来，可以串联起整个景点。”广州园林建筑规划设计研究总院第三设计院院长杜凡介绍，驷马涌滨水环境整治项目通过空间优化，以绣花功夫微改造，在有限的空间探索便民化的设计，增添遛鸟廊道、植入海绵草阶等多个人性化设计，实现真正意义上的“开门见水，推窗见景”。

如何兼顾自然特色又能满足生活功能，是这次改造的一个难点。据了解，驷马涌滨水环境整治项目分为两期，共将改造河岸约1.8公里、滨水面积约6.5公顷。其中，一期工程已完工并对外开放；二期工程正在抓紧实施，预计2024年春节前完工。目前，河涌两边从早到晚随时可见老人晒太阳，父母带着孩子散步，市民休憩聊天，游客打卡拍照。

整个项目完工后，驷马涌全线慢行系统将连续贯通，形成3.54公里漫步环线和2.72公里跑步道，滨水岸线将新旧街的社交空间串联起来，使得河涌转变为街区连廊。

来源｜中国青年报
图｜李惠娴
译｜陈萱