Tangshan Earthquake Memorial Park Ideas Competition

On July 28, 1976, a severe earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale happened in Tangshan and 240,000 lives were lost. It was one of the 10 most severe natural disasters of the 20th century. Almost all buildings were damaged and had collapsed causing a direct pecuniary lost of 3 billion Chinese Yuan. After the earthquake, Tangshan had undertaken the task of reconstruction of the city for about 10 years; an additional 10 years for renascence and another 10 years for fast economic redevelopment. Nanhu district has rich natural resources and many clues to the city’s history, it is the most important context for the building of a new urban space for the city. In 2005, an international competition was launched for the Urban Design of Nanhu district, Latz + Partner Landschaftsarchi Tekten Planner from Germany won the first prize. The aims of the competition for Tangshan Earthquake Memorial Park in Nanhu District of Tangshan city are to upgrade the landscape and provide a place to the citizens for memorial activities.

The Memorial Park’s Program:
- The memorial park encompasses about 40 hectares. Based on the preservation of the earthquake ruin, the design concept should take into consideration tour routing, site visits and the safety of visitors.
- A design concept for the monument or a place for memorial activities reflecting the care and love for the lives (lost).
- There is an existing workshop to the east side of the ruin, it is intended to be rebuilt as a museum of earthquake science, a design concept for the place and space of the museum is appropriate (building design is not required).
- The main entrance of the Memorial Park is at south side of the site linking with Yuegezhuang Road. The master plan should clearly indicate the relationship of the space and the landscape of the above 3 parts as well as the routing for visitors.

http://www.tsghj.gov.cn