Pingshan urban garden project wins ASLA award

A project consisting of eight urban gardens in Pingshan won the Award of Excellence in the Student Community Service category, recognized by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).

Children and adults co-build a garden in Pingshan District. Photos from Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau of Pingshan District

The project, titled “Co-Creating Urban Gardens: Enhancing the Wellbeing of the Urban Community,” involves contributions from Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau of Pingshan District, Shenzhen Technology University's School of Design and Innovation, and Pingshan Datong Social Work Service Center. Community residents, teachers, and students also participated in the research, design, construction and operation of the gardens that are not only environmentally beautiful but also promote natural education for all ages. 

The ASLA awards jury commended the project on its website, highlighting its goals of "Making Society More Caring, Passionate and Friendly." It notes that the project involves people from different backgrounds and expertise collaborating on placemaking, stating “This whole project is super hopeful, in an inspired way!”

A co-built garden at Shenzhen Technology University Kindergarten in Pingshan.

“The collaboration between the government and the university not only reflects the value of co-building and sharing urban public spaces but also provides valuable practical training opportunities for our students,” said a staffer from Shenzhen Technology University. “By integrating classroom learning with social practice, students have enhanced their skills and innovative thinking, creating a collaborative education mechanism among the government, schools, and the community.”

“Since exploring the ‘government-university-enterprise’ co-construction garden cooperation model, we have beautified the environment and enhanced residents’ sense of happiness. This initiative has also sparked public enthusiasm for urban management and governance. Many community members are engaging in urban management through various initiatives, such as park construction, beautifying balconies, and greening projects along roads,” said an official.

Various community-friendly co-built gardens in Pingshan.

In Pingshan, residents, teachers, students, corporate employees, and volunteers participated in site selection, design, construction and maintenance, resulting in the creation of 28 community-friendly, child-friendly, and environmentally sustainable co-built gardens. The district further encourages university students to enhance urban aesthetics, providing them with insights into urban management practices. This fosters a model of co-construction, co-governance, and shared benefits, contributing to the development of a better urban environment.

In addition, leveraging Pingshan’s rich natural environment and scenic resources, 90 kilometers of hiking and excursion trails have been constructed, forming 15 nature appreciation and learning routes that cover the entire district, totaling 143 kilometers of natural trail systems. The Jingui Natural Education Center, the Pingshan Central Park Natural Education Center, and the Pingshan Children’s Park Natural Education Center have been recognized as “Shenzhen Natural Education Centers.” They have organized 139 natural education activities that engaged a total of 3,172 participants, promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and nature and continuously addressing people’s aspirations for a better life.

Hikers check a hiking trail map in Pingshan District.

Founded in 1899, ASLA is a professional association for landscape architects in the United States. Its Professional Award winners represent the best of landscape architecture, while Student Award winners represent the bright future of the landscape architecture profession.