Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 21.2.
A portion of Betsy Damon's six-acre (2.4-ha) Living Water Garden in
Chengdu, China—an urban space on the Fu-Nan River. (Photo courtesy of Betsy Damon)
He said, “Most people come to make money or take our culture. You've given China
a future, now you have to do it in Beijing.” I burst into tears. The park was visited by
most mayors of major cities and has been copied in various ways around the world. It
demonstrates an integrated park design that serves the environment by cleaning water.
Kingfishers returned to the site, it is cool and quiet inside the park, and many species
have taken up residence in the trees and plants. For ten years it was the center of a na-
tional discussion about technology and nature. Now that discussion has changed, and
wetlands are promoted, as are eco-solutions. The Beijing Olympic Forest Park has a
complete biological water system that Margo Young of the Canadian landscape de-
sign company EDM and I designed from 2003 to 2005. Chengdu has become the
greenest city in China.
Great generosity and cooperation from many people created the Living Water
Garden. A person can now walk along the Fu-Nan River under cooling trees—where
a gentle breeze follows the river for miles—finding tea houses, and people practicing
tai chi, relaxing, and jogging.
Keepers of the Waters (www.keepersofthewaters.org) invites everyone to learn the
principles of integrated living systems design and initiate projects in their community.
PROJECT III: WATERWASHING
Working to have a positive effect as an environmental artist and activist, I have
thought long and hard about potential ways to make a difference. How can an appre-
ciation of place engender public involvement? What kind of visual strategies reinforce
the scientific values protecting natural spaces? The need for restoration and revital-
ization of areas challenged by stormwater issues is widespread on Long Island's North
Fork and in waterfront areas worldwide. The WATERWASH™ concept occurred to
