OMA

Changchun Jingyue Cultural and Leisure District . Changchun

OMA

Synergy is a condition in which the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents produces a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.

Changchun Jingyue Cultural and Leisure District, the largest single extension of the city centre of Changchun in northeastern China to date, is defined not only by urban planning and architecture, but also by the specific and different programs unique for its context. It is designed to be a cultural and leisure zone within Changchun and for the whole of China through synergy.
The most recent 5-year plan for Changchun asks for a strong emphasis on developing cultural and leisure industries. This five year plan is shared by many other cities in China, and this high-level development strategy will result in competition among the cultural districts in different regions. Developing an identity and a specific program mix for Changchun Jingyue Cultural and Leisure District is essential for the district to be successful. The design of the district is based on the special historic and geographical background of the city and a specific program configuration that transcends the district into a unique cultural and leisure zone.
Changchun’s opportunities hinge on its history: the city was at the forefront of China’s industrial and creative design, having the first and largest car and film industry of the country. This history registers the opportunity for Changchun to reclaim the title as the most creative and innovative city for culture and design. The Jingyue District of Changchun, though not the largest cultural and leisure zone in China at present, has the potential to become the most innovative region given its continuous development in cultural industries, creative industries and design and public activities – if the program elements are combined in one central core within the district to create a synergy effect.
Cultural and leisure program elements in the district are overlapped to create a unique new creative and leisure centre. The core of this district is shaped in such a way that it connects the different program configurations that perform better as a unity. Within the core specific pockets for leisure can be determined. The pockets create public spaces with different characters and opportunities for public use. The core is a collection of businesses; activities happen within the public realm, drawing the attention of people both inside and outside the core. Around the core are different types of housing that create a vibrant modern day living environment. From the axis and pockets, there are diagonal park strips connecting to the residential areas.
Within the Changchun Jingyue Cultural and Leisure District, cultural program, leisure program and design go hand in hand, creating a synergy effect. Such synergy effect will launch the creative and innovative industries within the Jingyue district and Changchun, making it stand out amongst the many culture and leisure zones planned in China.


Partner in charge:
David Gianotten

Project architect:
Bauke Albada
Team:
Yannis Chan, Karolina Czeczek, Aurgho Jyoti, Jenny Kim, Anthony Lam, Katja Lam, Duc Nguyen, Arthas Qian, Benny Tam, Andreas Viglakis, Matei Vlasceanu

COLLABORATORS
Transport:
WSP: Pan Don, Craig Wright, Raymond Zhou
Sustainability:
YRG: Arpan Bakshi, Narada Golden, Daniel LeBlanc, Joshua Radoff, Lauren Yarmuth
Models and Visualization:
RJ Models: Alam Chiang, Sean Wang; Silkroad: Flower Chow, Eric Ho